A flat-out street-racing fight
Police seize cars under crime law
MPP revs up push for street-racing bill
Jun. 16, 2006. 05:34 AM
SAN GREWAL
STAFF REPORTER

Just before the latest big-budget street-racing movie hit big screens today, 20 tonnes of the law was brought down on two illegally modified cars confiscated after their owners were caught racing.

Yesterday's public demolition in Markham was the first time in Ontario that seized racing cars (valued at almost $50,000) have been destroyed using a law that was originally designed to curb organized crime.

"I know one thing," Attorney General Michael Bryant said at the demolition, "that on the weekend, these cars won't be back on the streets again."

But with 34 street racing-related deaths around the GTA since 1999 and no provincial legislation to specifically address the problem, one MPP said crushing of two Honda Civics using a law meant for something else is nothing more than a "dog-and-pony" show.

With the release of The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, the third instalment in the Fast and the Furious franchise that glorifies the culture of modified street-racing cars, calls for tougher laws to stop the trend are mounting.

"This stunt is an insult to the victims and their families and an embarrassment to the government," said Oak Ridges MPP Frank Klees, the former Progressive Conservative transportation minister who last week introduced a private members bill to curb illegal street racing.

Three weeks ago, Rob and Lisa Manchester, constituents in Klees's riding, were killed in what police suspect was a street race.

Klees's two requests this week for his bill to receive unanimous consent — rarely given to private members' bills — were both denied. The bill has not yet been given a second reading.

The cars destroyed yesterday were seized under provincial legislation called the Civil Remedies Act, which was passed in 2002 to help confiscate equipment used in organized crime, particularly illegal marijuana grow operations.

Both of the modified vehicles were involved in illegal street-racing incidents: one in Markham in 2003, the other in Vaughan in 2004. The drivers were convicted of offences under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act (one was also convicted of dangerous driving under the Criminal Code of Canada).

One driver had his licence suspended for four months, while the other received a $1,000 fine and had his licence suspended for six months.

The attorney general asked the Ontario Superior Court of Justice — which found the cars to be "instruments of unlawful activity" under the act — to order their forfeiture to the Crown.

The Civil Remedies Act was then amended in Dec. 2005 to allow for the destruction of seized property, such as the two cars crushed yesterday.

Bryant says his government is sending a clear message.

"We are targeting cars modified to clearly be used for unlawful purposes — street racing."

But Klees says if the government is serious about curbing street racing it wouldn't be using a law that doesn't directly address the increasing use of after-market products such as nitrous oxide fuel systems.

Minister of Transportation Donna Cansfield says she fully supports Klees's efforts to combat illegal street racing.

The bill Klees introduced last week would allow police to issue "on-the-spot licence suspensions" to anyone suspected of street racing, would allow police to impound cars and would provide for fines up to $2,000, and a six-month jail term.

It would also ban nitrous oxide systems, which can drastically boost the horsepower and acceleration of modified cars.

Under legislation proposed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government, street racers would face longer licence suspensions and those who kill someone could get sentenced to life in prison.

For a first offence, drivers may have licences suspended for a year, two years for a second offence and three for a third.

"The owner of one of the (destroyed) cars actually had a year's opportunity to put it back to street legal. But he said he didn't want to be slowed down," said York Region Police Sgt. Dave Mitchell. "The drivers were using them for their intended purpose — street racing."

Both of the vehicles are Honda CRX Civics and retail for about $20,000. One had about $2,500 in modifications, the other more than $5,000.

What Are The Penalties In The New Street Racing Law?
Thursday June 15, 2006
It's the day those with a need for speed and a hot engine have long dreaded.

But that same day is one that victims of street racers have been praying for.

It's here for both, now that the federal government has officially tabled its bill, which attempts to makes the practice of racing down the roads a part of the Criminal Code.

What exactly do the new rules propose? Here's a look at the range of charges offenders face now and if the law is passed:

Dangerous Driving - No bodily harm or death:

Now: Summary conviction or imprisonment up to five years

After: the same

(A summary conviction is reserved for the least serious offences in the Criminal Code. In general, it means a fine of up to $2,000 or six months in jail - or both.)

Dangerous Driving causing Bodily Harm

Now: Up to 10 years in prison

After: Up to 14 years in prison



Dangerous Driving causing Death:

Now: Up to 14 years in prison.

After: Potential for lifetime imprisonment



Criminal Negligence causing Bodily Harm:

Now: Up to 10 years in prison.

After: Up to 14 years in prison.



Criminal Negligence causing Death:

Now: Maximum punishment of life in prison

After: same.



What happens to your license if you get caught? Here's the rundown:



First Street Racing Conviction

Dangerous Driving - No Bodily Harm or Death: 1 to 3 years

Dangerous Driving causing Bodily Harm: 1 to 10 years

Dangerous Driving causing Death: 1 to 10 years

Criminal Negligence causing Bodily Harm: 1 to 10 years

Criminal Negligence causing Death: 1 year to life



Second Street Racing Conviction:

Dangerous Driving - No Bodily Harm or Death: 2 to 5 years

Dangerous Driving causing Bodily Harm: 2 to 10 years

Dangerous Driving causing Death: Lifetime ban

(Applies only if an offender has two convictions where someone was injured or killed as a result of street racing, and at least one of these offences caused a death .)

Criminal Negligence causing Bodily Harm: 2 to 10 years

Criminal Negligence causing Death: Lifetime ban

(Applies only if an offender has two convictions where someone was injured or killed as a result of street racing, and at least one of these offences caused a death .)



All subsequent street racing convictions:

Dangerous Driving - No Bodily Harm or Death: 3 years to life

Dangerous Driving causing Bodily Harm: 3 years to life.

Dangerous Driving causing Death: Lifetime ban

(Applies only if an offender has three or more convictions where someone was injured or killed as a result of street racing, and at least one of these offences caused a death .)

Criminal Negligence causing Bodily Harm: 3 years to life

Criminal Negligence causing Death: Lifetime ban

(Applies only if an offender has three or more convictions where someone was injured or killed as a result of street racing, and at least one of these offences caused a death .)

Source: Ministry of Justice