More than 50 racers caught in York

York Regional Police are continuing their fight against high speed and aggressive driving with new Highway Traffic Act legislation.

They have seized more than 50 vehicles since the legislation came into effect at the end of September.

Between Sept. 30 and Nov. 14, officers have laid more than 50 Highway Traffic Act charges for drivers travelling in excess of 50 kilometres over the speed limit and have used the new legislative authority to impound 52 vehicles.

In one Nov. 13 incident, an officer was operating radar on Nashville Road in Vaughan. He observed a vehicle travelling at high speed, recording him as going 110 kilometres per hour in a posted 50 kilometre-per-hour zone; 60 kilometres over the speed limit.

A 28-year-old Woodbridge man was issued a summons for stunt driving. His car was impounded and his licence was suspended for seven days.

Driving more than 50 kilometres an hour over the speed limit is considered a stunt under the new legislation and this allows officers to impound vehicles and suspend licenses for seven days. Fines begin at $2,000 and can reach as high as $10,000 or the driver can face imprisonment of up to six months.

In addition to using this new legislation to curb speeding and aggressive driving, York police have been promoting Project ERASE, an awareness and enforcement campaign operated jointly by police services across Ontario, in partnership with the provincial government that aims to eliminate street racing and high-risk driving behaviour.

"Our officers are using this legislation, but the by number of people we have stopped driving at speeds of more than 50 kilometres per hour, it is clear to me that some drivers are simply not getting the message," said Chief Armand La Barge. "Maybe the fact that we are impounding their vehicles and suspending their licence for seven days will drive home the message that driving is a privilege, not a right."

People who see or know of aggressive driving or street racing activity in their community are asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip on-line at www.1800222tips.com