| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/19/2007 3:42:59 AM | As most of you have heard there has been a lot said about the racing on the 400 this last couple days.Would you call 911 to report some one doing it as you were driving ???And do you feel the fines are stiff enough when someone get caught. would like to hear from all of you on this.My stand on this is I'm  over it
Howie415 | |
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| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/19/2007 5:28:35 AM | In my opinion, the truck driver who died yesterday is a hero. He drove his truck off the highway to avoid killing other drivers. All because three car loads of early 20ish boys were racing to Wasaga. They were driving VERY irrisponsibly. The highway (400) was closed for hours, many people affected.
It's the trucker (and his family) that my heart go out to.
Sorry about the venting above - in answer to your question - I'd call 911 if I could get a plate # quickly.
Did you hear about the driver in a Hyundai on the 400 over the weekend clock at 215km, he went right off to jail to go before a judge for his ticket. | |
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| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/19/2007 5:45:20 AM | Last year I drove through an accident that had just occured a few mins before I passed - there where three cars involve in this sort of accident. They were up under the embankment of an over pass! It appeared that the people involved were ok as the police had them sitting in cuffs on the side of the road. Next time they will be dead I am sure.
I would certainly call 911 if I was driving and as$holes like that whized by me!! They threaten the life of everyone they pass!!!! | |
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| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/19/2007 5:54:10 AM | There's a strip in my town right near one of the highway exits that's regularly used by late night drag racers. My friend was on his way home from work one night and accidentally got caught in one of the races. Scary shiznit. The problem with illegal street racing is, like all things underground, it's intensely covered up. Plus movies like Gone in 60 seconds, Fast and the Furious, and Fast and the Furious 2: Tokyo Drift glorify it.
Scary shit....but hard to catch. It's a case of too many racers and too few cops. They're stretched to the limit. I'm just sorry for the truck driver and all other victims of street racing. | |
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| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/19/2007 10:58:30 AM | Its simple. Take the cars on the spot the offense would mean your loss of car if you are caught doing 40km over the posted limit, no exceptions no "poor me has to work to support my 20 kids, I need my car" . Value of car would not matter and owner of the car would not matter if you loan your car out and someone goes over 40km/hr above the posted your car is gone (don't loan your car).
Only exception would be if its stolen and then only if they somehow how beat your car anti theft system (1994 Accord would be taken away as it don't have one, hence why its stolen so much).
Can't afford it ? Take the bus, no Bus - walk | |
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| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/19/2007 11:15:55 AM | ludicrous is what i think it is and damn right i would call...i've called before when i've seen erratic drivers. but i agree with you trinity in that there is some glorification of it in movies and video games, and it is the nature of underground thrill rides of any kind.
but that's the nature of some people, just selfish. they don't ever concern themselves over the safety and well-being of others or the consequences of their actions. | |
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| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/19/2007 12:41:16 PM | | bring back the photo radar and catch the buggers in the act!if they dispute it the police have the evidence they need to convict them.i think the 1st time,their license should be revoked for at least a year,if not more,then a repeat offence,a permenant revoking.besides,what is so important that people have to rush to get to anyways? | |
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| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/19/2007 12:56:31 PM | Yeah.. no one died in the 1950's in car racing ever.. it must be those movies they release these days.
(fyi gone in 60 seconds was about car THEFT not care RACING) and (Tokyo Drift was about drift racing in private garges, not the city streets) .
Regardless...
These crimes NEED to be reported, ALmost everyone has a cell phone.. the problem is.. even when we can report them they are moving so fast that they either cause an accident before the police get to them, or the police can't find them..
There is already a "street drag" law which includes impoundment and destruction of any vehicle who is caught and convicted of street drag, and it's not doing any good.. in fact, it just gives cause for the criminals to go faster to outrun the cops.
But definetly call.. and may the family of the hero trucker be taken care of. | |
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| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/19/2007 1:59:28 PM | | My opinion is to treat these people regardless of the car they are racing in as no different than a repeated drunk driver. Charge the person first and the next step is my favourite. Each car that was racing will be thoroughly tested for crumple zones at the local wreckage compactor. Mandatory in the sentencing is to have the drivers of each of these cars physically witness, if not also press the button, to crumple their cars into nice metal cubes. After one or two cars being crumpled, I'm sure they will get the message. After all guys losing their cars is usually a very emotional thing and will make an impact. | |
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| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/19/2007 2:34:56 PM | | We just had a case here in Ont for street racing that killed a cabbie in To what did the racers get 6 months house arrest what did the cabbie get rest in peace. Now the racing is moving to the big hyways they don't fall under the street racing law.I feel no second chance if your caught racing you lose every thing and pay what ever you have done Hit them hard but also on that point give them places to do it so we are safer on the roads we have to drive on. Only my 2 cents on this | |
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| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/19/2007 2:44:58 PM | The impound/destroy law is already in place.
And it already had it's first innocent victim :)
The guy was found not guilty the day AFTER the system destroyed his vehicle.
There was no follow up to see if his highly customised vehicle was ever replaced. | |
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| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/19/2007 3:56:54 PM | I have dialed 911, given a full description of the vehicles and plate numbers and then been called by the OPP to tell me they had apprehended the speeders. I have never had to appear as a witness but I am always ready. Fortunately, I am in the automotive trade and cars are also my hobby, so I can usually give a good description of the idiots involved. After calling in the racers, I pulled off the road and wrote down all the info I had, just in case.
The sad part is in the sentencing where the racers get off too lightly, such as house arrest for killing a taxi driver. The penalty for racing (also impaired driving) should be life without a drivers license, life without owning a car, mandatory jail time and a huge $ fine. If the person is caught driving again, more mandatory jail time. Unfortunately, the judges are too soft.
I know a lot of truckers and they have an extremely difficult task every day. I feel so bad for his family, friends and coworkers.
To make this point, write your local MP and MPP. | |
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| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/19/2007 4:11:16 PM |
The penalty for racing (also impaired driving) should be life without a drivers license, life without owning a car, mandatory jail time and a huge $ fine. If the person is caught driving again, more mandatory jail time.
I think the difficulty here is that there is a fine line between racing and speeding... | |
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| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/19/2007 6:41:33 PM | | me and my mom where arguing about this today. kinda wierd its here lol because on the street we live the speed limit is 80 so when i drive i do 80 . she tried to tell me no u can do 90 and i am telling her no or the sign would say 90 no? i mean i have my daugther in the car i worry enough about my own driving not to mention other pplz. and these idiots who work at honda racing by my house all the time it scares me because i do have a 3 yr old outside playing and i mean i watch her but still its just not safe or what if they hit someone and hit the gas meater on my front lawn i dont know it think they need to be stricter on these ppl | |
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| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/19/2007 8:56:14 PM | | Hello all, this is my first posting on POG and not sure how to do it properly - I'm not posting to the last response but rather to the thread itself. I'm just totally dumbfonded at the lack of responsibility and respect of some people - regardless of age - after hearing about such a horrific accident on a highway and then to go and do the exact same thing (except this time a death was caused!). My question is - with having speed limits that we do - and I believe that we definitely need speed limits - why are cars built to exceed to go above those speed limits to the extent that they can? I can see emergency vehicles being required to go up to a certain speed, but, really, for the general public I believe they should be selling cars that only can reach a certain speed limit. (perhaps 20 - 30 km. above, tops). I believe that would help in preventing many accidents. However, you're still going to get those people who are going to "soup up" their cars, but I think those people should get jail time when caught and it would may prevent a lot of heartbreak not only for their victims, but for their own families! Just my opinion! | |
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| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/19/2007 9:07:44 PM | | Sorry, POG? Total typo! Guppies perhaps? Just kidding! Actually, I really am at a loss for words for such total stupidity and someone's lack of caring for someone's life (whether their own or someone else's)! | |
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| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/19/2007 9:18:23 PM |
bring back the photo radar and catch the buggers in the act!if they dispute it the police have the evidence they need to convict them.
Been there done that. Photo radar does not prove who drives the vehicle. And because of that, the former Ontario government had to drop the demerit points-system for driver's who sped through a photo radar trap. So if you're a person driving a $60,000 corvette, and you go through one of those photo radar traps, and it takes your photo, you just keep speeding, who's gonna pull you over? nobody. And further up the road, you get into a multi-vehicle crash. It doesn't save lives, it's only purpose was to make money for the former NDP government of Ontario while they were in power. | |
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| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/19/2007 9:27:23 PM |
I have dialed 911, given a full description of the vehicles and plate numbers and then been called by the OPP to tell me they had apprehended the speeders. I have never had to appear as a witness but I am always ready. Fortunately, I am in the automotive trade and cars are also my hobby, so I can usually give a good description of the idiots involved. After calling in the racers, I pulled off the road and wrote down all the info I had, just in case.
Hey Fred, good post ! I think this message (although it's been told before on radio and television) needs to be made much louder ! We need tv commercials that tell all responsible driver's what to do when confronted with other threatening driver's or one's who put other's lives at risk with their aggressive speeding/racing. The only downside to it, is that the police may get wayy too many calls. Some of the calls may not prove to be worthy, or like someone mentioned earlier, some of the racers may not be found, which wastes a lot of time unfortunately. | |
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| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/19/2007 10:20:39 PM |
why are cars built to exceed to go above those speed limits to the extent that they can?
Those types of questions were asked many years ago by people we saw on tv, and politicians talked about it, and I never really knew what the answers were. It's not just the vehicle's capability, but inside many of these vehicles, you can see the speedometers, from 0-to-240 km/h. And I'm sure many driver's see that, and when they get up over 140, they tend to keep looking down to see how much faster they are driving. It's a joke. Car manufacturers should be forced to stop building sports cars with V-8 engines. You don't need a car with more than 6-cylinders in them. Yet, those cars go fast too. Now, we have the environment movement in the works, and you'd think the GREEN PARTY would be all over hwy 400 talking about how speeding is bad for gas prices etc... because in simple terms, it is. | |
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Maxhal
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Joined: 11/2/2006
Msg: 21 | |
| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/20/2007 4:53:09 PM | Looks like the Catholics have their $hit together in trying to stop those sinning road ragers.
This is not a joke set of commandments, although not in stone it's on CNN, right here for full story http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/06/19/vatican.road.rage.ap/index.html
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Got road rage? The Vatican on Tuesday issued a set of "Ten Commandments" for drivers, telling motorists to be charitable to others on the highways, to refrain from drinking and driving, and to pray you make it before you even buckle up.
Drivers' Ten Commandments'
The "Drivers' Ten Commandments," as listed by the document, are:
1. You shall not kill.
2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.
3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.
4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.
5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.
6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.
7. Support the families of accident victims.
8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.
9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.
10. Feel responsible toward others.
Only 10 more reasons to feel guilty  | |
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| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/21/2007 7:20:08 AM | I am very, very concerned with the comments by Attorney General Michael Bryant, where he indicated that they will crush cars first, ask questions later.
Performance vehicles are legal. To destroy a vehicle that is legal, because they suspect that the owner of the vehicle may use it for "street racing" is an obscene violation of the owners rights.
Of course... the young purple haired, tattooed rocker is going to street race.
Of course... the 40-ish grey tinged business man is not going to street race.
Mind you, if you hit the highways I always see these 40ish business guys in the 5 series BMW's traveling along at 160 kph.
My brother was stopped,fined and had his car mpounded for having his muffler to loud. It got squashed, because it was well within the legal guidelines. He was stopped and fined ONLY because he was driving a suped up performance vehicle. He wasn't speeding, he wasn't racing, he wasn't doing anything wrong.
If this mindset was in effect at that point.. whats the chance his 50k investment would be nothing more then pop cans right now?
Innocent until PROVEN guilty. | |
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| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/21/2007 7:28:33 AM | | if you ask me, the penalties aren't near harsh enough. Because if they were, there wouldn't be as many idiots drag racing, thinking it's a cool thing to do. It kills people. Lately, I haven't heard of any of the "racers" getting convicted of vehicular manslaughter (but you can correct me if I'm wrong)...I remember that taxi driver that got killed on Mount Pleasant and the drivers got next to nothing as a punishment. It ticks me off to no end. | |
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| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/21/2007 9:12:48 AM | *IF* a person is convicted of street racing, by all means, take their car.
If they kill a person while street racing, change them with manslaughter/murder.
But --define street racing.
Is that speeding in a planned choreographed method with another vehicle?
Would passing a car on the highway be considered racing?
Would going 40 over the limit be considered racing even if there is no other vehicle on the road?
Or how about those that go 140 on the highway "racing" past those going 20 over the limit, who are "racing" past those going the limit? | |
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| Racing on the 400 401 427 and the other big Hyways
Posted: 6/21/2007 9:49:22 AM | OK, having just moved here from Nova Scotia, I think I can give some good input on this.
One of the most infuriating things on the highways of Nova Scotia, is that everyone drives exactly 100km/h on the highways. The speed limits are 110km/h - people would still do 100km/h. I like to drive just under 120km/h.
I moved to Ontario about 3 weeks ago... I was driving along the QEW towards Niagara; I didn't think I was going very fast; I was in the middle lane, people were passing me on the left; I was passing cars on the right. I was totally going the flow. I looked down to see I was actually doing 140km/h. It is insane how fast people drive on the highways here.
401 just outside of rush hour, you get people doing these speeds, and weaving in and out of traffic; pulling into your lane 2 feet infront of you, giving you absolutely no chance of stopping should something happen, and then slamming on their brakes to "clear space" for themselves.
While racing is certainly a big issue, I personally think the highways need to be slowed in general. | |
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