Illegal street racing has been growing a problem in the G.T.A
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They mostly come out when you’re asleep.
Under cover of darkness, they hit the road and then the accelerator, driving their way towards higher and higher speeds.
Illegal street racing has been growing a problem in the G.T.A. for years, with police from all across the region launching initiatives over the years to stop it.
But cops can’t be everywhere and drag racers often know where they’re not going to be, picking those places to gather.
The tragic death of a Toronto taxi driver on Tuesday night has reinforced that the need for speed can be a killer.
“In the summertime, it’s a bigger problem in that there are designated areas that these guys make themselves that they show up at and they try pull off actual races,” Traffic Services Det. Paul Lobsinger tells Pulse24.com.
Unfortunately, Toronto is listed as one of the biggest areas for the races. It's estimated there are 20,000 street racers in Southern Ontario. Since 1999, 30 people have died because of the illegal sport.
And police allege the practice also leads to property damage, weapons offences, and alcohol abuse.
But the numbers don't tell the real story. Lobsinger notes for every one who gets caught, there are more who escape undetected.
Recent studies have shown a large number of the offenders are those with the least experience – drivers with just a G1 or a G2 licence. In some cases, speeds reach between 130-140 kilometres an hour.
Where does it happen? On city streets and on highways.
“Motorcycles like the Don Valley Parkway in the middle of the night in the summer, the 404 – there’s different areas and they move around as we make adjustments to try and catch them,” Lobsinger outlines.
In many cases, the culprits aren’t part of any organized groups – just young males who come together and decide to challenge each other in a foolish game of chicken.
So what’s the point of it all? For some, it’s the simple desire to compete. Others want to show off their souped-up vehicles. And a few do it for money.
A street race in Vancouver involved money being put into a hat and the loot delivered to a secret location. The drivers in the “contest” were then phoned and told where the bounty was – and whoever got there first won the prize.
It’s a recipe for disaster that cops have seen far too often. And it’s not just speed that’s the problem.
Other techniques for the hot shots include using other drivers in other vehicles to block off intersections to keep cops from reaching the scene; darting in and out of traffic to see who can reach a destination first; or speeding around corners to see how their tires handle the curves.
Officials don’t have any firm figures on how widespread the problem really is, but cops believe many serious or fatal accidents involving speed could have street racing as a primary cause.
In addition to the dangers to the drivers involved, police say the practice also creates hazards in other areas:
* It puts pedestrians and other motorists in jeopardy
* It adds to noise pollution
* It encourages vandalism
* It can harm local businesses if cars are tying up the street
* It creates extra burdens on already crumbling roads and streets.
Those who are devoted to the practice contend the police and the press have it all wrong.
They have maintained for years that allowing them to build a de facto drag racing strip close to the city would allow those with the need for speed to indulge their habits without putting anyone in danger.
Proponents note that solution has worked in other North American cities. But so far neither the funds nor the permission has ever been forthcoming from any city in the G.T.A.
And Lobsinger doesn’t think it will make any difference.
“I know a lot of people who complain that they don’t get to go on a holiday,” he notes. “Should we build them a Princess Cruise Line down in the harbour and let them go on it down there, too?
“How about getting a job and earning a living and if that’s what you want to do as a living, go and be a racer. But don’t do it on our city streets!”
Cops believe part of the thrill is the danger of getting caught. And they think illegal street racers would quickly tire of any area designated especially for their use.
Lobsinger maintains the answer is education and tougher penalties, pointing out Toronto’s summer of the gun has nothing on the hundreds of fatal accidents that plague the city’s streets every year.
But he complains no one seems quite as upset about that.
Unbelievable man, I don't understand these Conservative freaks.
“I know a lot of people who complain that they don’t get to go on a holiday,” he notes. “Should we build them a Princess Cruise Line down in the harbour and let them go on it down there, too?
“How about getting a job and earning a living and if that’s what you want to do as a living, go and be a racer. But don’t do it on our city streets!”
What kind of comparison is this? Holy Hell!
Does this banana really think you can go out and get a job as a "racer", it's not like McDonalds buddy.
This is a constant uphill battle, even if we want a real track, meatheads like this aren't going to let it happen.
Many or MOST of the people who race arent just doign it because they might get caught. If they built a damn strip, many people would race there. Ony noobs wou still race on a street, because they are just that.. noobs.
That whole comparison thing is absolutely obsurd. Comparing a vacation to people dying.
People dont NEED to go on vacation... but people NEED to not die.
Man if there was a track in Woodbridge or Georgetown (like there should have been 30 years ago) or even in Scarbaria, I'd be there ever other week prolly. But to go to Cayuga.... hour+ drive... shit.
Stupid article too.
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94 Saturn SC2... almost stock. Really, im not shitting lol.
How about the fact that the Government dosent mind spending MILLIONS of dollers on bicycle lanes .Even tho they dont pay any extra taxes for the use of them..eg gas ,licence ,smoke tests . also on that note ..when was the last time anyone saw someone on a bicycle gettin a ticket for anything ???? if I drove like they ride Christ ! wouldnt have a licence anymore for sure...
As for a track nearby.....it's not going to solve the problem, sorry but I'm realistic. Who do you think is going to be stationed right outside the track????? ****, they'd prolly just build a station right beside it!
Ntm, what time does a track close? Where are we going to go after? the streets.
Sorry, but I have two jobs and a little one, I'm not going to be able to get out til at least 11 if not later, by the time I'd get out to the track (wherever it would be located) I prolly wouldn't even be able to get one pass in, let alone even see a race.
Even the issue of money, how much would it cost? and multipy that cost by how many times a week you usually race. In the summer, I'm out at least three nights a week, if not almost every night.
And if you factor it in with the actual possibilty of getting a ticket out on the streets, compared to the reality of getting MULTIPLE tickets with going to the track.....I'll take my chances on the street.
And the alcohol abuse....OMFG! come on! can we please PLEASE, knock some sense into him????
*EXTREME SARCASM WARNING!!!*
Ya, drinking and driving DO mix! Once I started street racing, I realized that drinking and driving is the best think in the world! It REALLY helps with your reaction time. And I also make sure to carry a gun on me to make sure that no one tries to steal my alcohol while I'm racing.
*Bashes head on keyboard with disbelief of some peoples stupidity*
*EXTREME SARCASM WARNING!!!*
Ya, drinking and driving DO mix! Once I started street racing, I realized that drinking and driving is the best think in the world! It REALLY helps with your reaction time. And I also make sure to carry a gun on me to make sure that no one tries to steal my alcohol while I'm racing.
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This is a constant uphill battle, even if we want a real track, meatheads like this aren't going to let it happen.
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