A LONG read and discussion *Ontario, Canada Street Racing Law*

xr8d302

I bought a 27" monitor to compensate for my lack o
Apr 29, 2004
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Medicine Hat, AB
This is a long one, not to mention probably my most controversial topic. Mods, if it's too much, feel free to remove it :(

Today I was driving back from a place called Wasaga Beach, Ontario, a small beach community that turns into absolute mayhem during the summer months. Hundreds of thousands of people, hot women, exotic cars, everything you can think of, ends up there during this time of year.

With mention of the exotic and very modified cars, however, comes this point. Today, as I drove home, I spotted no less than a dozen cars pulled over by two or more cop cars for looking too fast. This includes one mustang, a 1970ish Chevelle, and a Corvette. The majority were honda's and other imports.

Personally, I believe the law quoted below is good in some aspects but very restrictive in other ways. I'd like to get your feedback on it, however, to see how your towns and states react to the same behavior on the street.

To simplify, if the offending driver is found to be doing, or in possession of anything that might portray the behavior of a street racer, at the officer’s discretion, the new law hits them with vehicle impoundments, immediate license suspension and hefty fines ($10, 000 plus) without a trial.

Edit: I will Bold the good stuff


ONTARIO REGULATION 455/07

RACES, CONTESTS AND STUNTS

Consolidation Period: From May 1, 2009 to the e-Laws currency date.

Last amendment: O. Reg. 175/09.

This is the English version of a bilingual regulation.

1. Revoked: O. Reg. 406/08, s. 1.

Definition, “race” and “contest”

2. (1) For the purposes of section 172 of the Act, “race” and “contest” include any activity where one or more persons engage in any of the following driving behaviours:

1. Driving two or more motor vehicles at a rate of speed that is a marked departure from the lawful rate of speed and in a manner that indicates the drivers of the motor vehicles are engaged in a competition.

2. Driving a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates an intention to chase another motor vehicle.

3. Driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention, without reasonable consideration for other persons using the highway or in a manner that may endanger any person by,

i. driving a motor vehicle at a rate of speed that is a marked departure from the lawful rate of speed,

ii. outdistancing or attempting to outdistance one or more other motor vehicles while driving at a rate of speed that is a marked departure from the lawful rate of speed, or

iii. repeatedly changing lanes in close proximity to other vehicles so as to advance through the ordinary flow of traffic while driving at a rate of speed that is a marked departure from the lawful rate of speed. O. Reg. 455/07, s. 2 (1).

(2) In this section,

“marked departure from the lawful rate of speed” means a rate of speed that may limit the ability of a driver of a motor vehicle to prudently adjust to changing circumstances on the highway. O. Reg. 455/07, s. 2 (2).

Definition, “stunt”

3. For the purposes of section 172 of the Act, “stunt” includes any activity where one or more persons engage in any of the following driving behaviours:

1. Driving a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates an intention to lift some or all of its tires from the surface of the highway, including driving a motorcycle with only one wheel in contact with the ground, but not including the use of lift axles on commercial motor vehicles.

2. Driving a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates an intention to cause some or all of its tires to lose traction with the surface of the highway while turning.

3. Driving a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates an intention to spin it or cause it to circle, without maintaining control over it.
4. Driving two or more motor vehicles side by side or in proximity to each other, where one of the motor vehicles occupies a lane of traffic or other portion of the highway intended for use by oncoming traffic for a period of time that is longer than is reasonably required to pass another motor vehicle.

5. Driving a motor vehicle with a person in the trunk of the motor vehicle.

6. Driving a motor vehicle while the driver is not sitting in the driver’s seat.

7. Driving a motor vehicle at a rate of speed that is 50 kilometres per hour or more over the speed limit.

8. Driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention, without reasonable consideration for other persons using the highway or in a manner that may endanger any person by,

i. driving a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates an intention to prevent another vehicle from passing,

ii. stopping or slowing down a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates the driver’s sole intention in stopping or slowing down is to interfere with the movement of another vehicle by cutting off its passage on the highway or to cause another vehicle to stop or slow down in circumstances where the other vehicle would not ordinarily do so,

iii. driving a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates an intention to drive, without justification, as close as possible to another vehicle, pedestrian or fixed object on or near the highway, or
iv. making a left turn where,

(A) the driver is stopped at an intersection controlled by a traffic control signal system in response to a circular red indication;

(B) at least one vehicle facing the opposite direction is similarly stopped in response to a circular red indication; and

(C) the driver executes the left turn immediately before or after the system shows only a circular green indication in both directions and in a manner that indicates an intention to complete or attempt to complete the left turn before the vehicle facing the opposite direction is able to proceed straight through the intersection in response to the circular green indication facing that vehicle. O. Reg. 455/07, s. 3.

Exceptions

4. (1) Despite section 2, “race” and “contest” do not include,

(a) a rally, navigational rally or similar event that is conducted,

(i) under the supervision of the Canadian Association of Rally Sport,

(ii) under the supervision of a club or association approved in writing by the Ministry, or

(iii) with the written approval of the road authority or road authorities having jurisdiction over the highway or highways used;

(b) motor vehicle owners engaged in a tour, scenic drive, treasure hunt or other similar motoring event in which the participants drive responsibly and in a manner that indicates an overall intention to comply with the provisions of the Act; or

(c) an event held on a closed course with the written approval of the road authority having jurisdiction over the highway, including any event lawfully using any of the trademarks “CART”, “Formula One”, “Indy”, “IndyCar”, “IRL” or “NASCAR”. O. Reg. 455/07, s. 4 (1).

(2) Despite sections 2 and 3, “race”, “contest” and “stunt” do not include any activity required for the lawful operation of motor vehicles described in subsections 62 (15.1) or 128 (13) of the Act, or the lawful operation of an emergency vehicle as defined in subsection 144 (1) of the Act. O. Reg. 455/07, s. 4 (2).

5. Omitted (provides for coming into force of provisions of this Regulation). O. Reg. 455/07, s. 5.

Discuss :nice:
 
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its always a pendulum. it swings to the extreme one way and then the other. just wait till all those exotics with big check books and judicial connections get ticketed. all those laws will be repealed and you'll be back to doing whatever you want.
 
I agree with this one:

iii. repeatedly changing lanes in close proximity to other vehicles so as to advance through the ordinary flow of traffic while driving at a rate of speed that is a marked departure from the lawful rate of speed. O. Reg. 455/07, s. 2 (1).

Can't stand those losers tailgaiting and switching lanes like going thru cones man.
 
I agree with this one:

iii. repeatedly changing lanes in close proximity to other vehicles so as to advance through the ordinary flow of traffic while driving at a rate of speed that is a marked departure from the lawful rate of speed. O. Reg. 455/07, s. 2 (1).

Can't stand those losers tailgaiting and switching lanes like going thru cones man.

I see where you're coming from, but this law is so broadly written that a police officer can tag anybody who is just cruising around slow moving traffic.

That's the worst part about this law, it's a blanket for all those things that might annoy us if done the wrong way, but is sometimes considered just regular driving to most of us.

I can't stand the kids in the honda's doing these things, but on our 401, which is the busiest freeway in North America, you sometimes get people driving 50mph when the regular flow of traffic is 70 - 80. To move around these people, a police officer could nail you for street racing and you could lose your car.

This law is tied together with a few little ones, that include nitrous, or any "street racing" equipment in a car, such as aftermarket guages or *gasp* fuel pressure regulators!!!!

An officer can pull you over, pop your hood, find something "racy" and take your car.

I honestly do hope the pendulum swings the other way, but so far, they say over 2500 cars have been impounded since the law kicked up.

Feel free to read up on any of it online, there's some interesting arguments. I'll try and find some links later

Cheers,
 
I agree with you on those points Aaron. It must be taken into context of the environment and peeps doing 56 in a 70-80 are stupid. 2500 cars!! Sounds like somebody in power got a widgit up their butt. Time for some power to the people. Pop my hood!!?? How about bout pop them in the face! :mad:
 
I agree with you on those points Aaron. It must be taken into context of the environment and peeps doing 56 in a 70-80 are stupid. 2500 cars!! Sounds like somebody in power got a widgit up their butt. Time for some power to the people. Pop my hood!!?? How about bout pop them in the face! :mad:

Anyone in cali here? How are the laws out that way?


Them popping hoods is not just a canada thing....it happens in the US too.




With all this though aaron, what do u plan on doing with the mustang to keep a low profile?