Police officials are raising alarms about street racing and reckless driving, which lead to too many fatal car accidents across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. They’re gearing up for a strong enforcement initiative starting Tuesday in Mississauga, aimed at tackling these illegal behaviors on our roads and highways.
The Ontario Provincial Police will kick off the annual Project ERASE collaborative enforcement campaign at their station in Mississauga’s north end. They plan to focus on stunt driving and other aggressive driving actions as the extensive initiative begins.
All types of dangerous driving remain a concerning trend that jeopardizes lives on roads and highways in Mississauga, Brampton, the GTA, and throughout Ontario, according to police reports.
Project ERASE – Eliminate Racing Activities on Streets Everywhere – takes place each year from May through October. During this period, officers from Peel, Toronto, Hamilton, Halton, York, Durham, Ontario Provincial Police and others actively target the most hazardous drivers on the road.
Police worry grows as dangerous drivers increase
Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Marc Andrews will be present for Tuesday’s launch near Highway 401 in Meadowvale. He has mentioned in previous years that both police concerns and instances of illegal street racing and stunt driving have continued to rise.
In announcing this week’s campaign launch, OPP stated “street racing as well as aggressive and dangerous driving continue to be major contributing factors in vehicle collisions, injuries and fatalities on Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area roads and highways.”
The OPP’s Highway Safety Division is hosting Tuesday’s kickoff event with attendance from police leaders across the GTHA including OPP Chief Supt. André Phelps (Divisional Commander, Highway Safety Division), Toronto Police Supt. Catherine Jackson, Andrews among others.
Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Marc Andrews speaks at the 2024 launch of Project ERASE. He emphasizes that far too many individuals take part in street racing along with other risky illegal driving activities.
At the 2024 Project ERASE launch held at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Andrews pointed out that behind each increasing number of dangerous driving offenses are real people affected by reckless actions on our roads resulting sometimes in tragic losses for families. Dangerous driving puts lives at risk; we won’t stand for it.”
This week through October marks an increased effort from police within the multi-jurisdictional Project ERASE campaign targeting stunt driving street racing along with other unsafe activities on our roads.
In Ontario, stunt driving is defined as traveling at:
50 km/h or more over the speed limit where the posted limit is above 80 km/h 40 km/h or more over where the limit is 80 km/h or less a speed of 150 km/h or more on any road or highway
If caught engaging in stunt driving or street racing you may face:
30-day license suspension right at roadside 14-day vehicle impoundment immediately (regardless if it belongs to you) minimum fine starting at $2,000 going up to $10,000 potential jail time up to six months six demerit points added upon conviction further license suspensions: one year for first offense; three to ten years for second; indefinite suspension after third conviction.
Recently Peel police have pinpointed racing hotspots within both cities of Mississauga and Brampton targeting those locations specifically as part of their enforcement strategy.
Nevertheless street racing continues to pose a significant risk for public safety according to law enforcement officials.
Lately groups of racers tend to gather late Friday nights into Saturday evenings during warmer months starting around May until late October all congregating primarily within industrial areas around Peel region plus GTA.
As part of Project ERASE law enforcement encourages motorists report unsafe conduct observed while operating vehicles whether aggressive behavior seen firsthand or witnessing any form of street racing activity can reach out via phone: 905-453-3311 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers calling: 1-800-222-8477.
You can also submit complaints regarding dangerous drivers using Road Watch portal found directly through Peel police website.
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