Region of Peel– Peel Regional Police engaged in a strategic enforcement initiative to eliminate street racing activity on roadways within Peel Region this past weekend, laying numerous charges.
As of mid-March, there has been a noticeable reduction of vehicles on our roadways due to the pandemic, resulting in little to no congestion. As the roads appear to be wide open, this is not an invitation to disregard designated speed limits and put people’s lives in danger.
The goal of the E.R.A.S.E Program (Eliminating Racing Activities on Streets Everywhere) is to change poor driver behaviour through education and strategic enforcement. Street racing is an illegal and dangerous activity that jeopardizes the lives of innocent people.
Peel Police received numerous complaints and notifications from the public, reporting drivers of vehicles who were engaging in street racing activities at various locations across the region. Officers observed vehicles operating at high speeds and driving erratically as they attempted to move from location to location.
On Friday, May 22 and Saturday, May 23, 2020, officers were out enforcing those who were not complying with social distancing protective measures as well as enforcing the rules of the road for those who chose to engage in aggressive driving.
In just two days, officers investigated 614 vehicles, laid three criminal charges, 127 By-law charges and seized three vehicles. Officers issued 131 Highway Traffic Act tickets, many of the charges were related to speeding and aggressive driving. Of those investigated, a large number of individuals resided from outside Peel Region.
Peel Regional Police are committed to road safety as a core policing function. Our officers remain vigilant twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week; speeding, aggressive driving and impaired driving remain enforcement priorities for our officers. Our officers will remain on-duty, enforcing our laws and ensuring that those that need to travel on our roadways can continue to do so in safety.
“Road Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Our streets are no place to race and drive aggressively. Our officers are duty-bound to do everything in their power to ensure our community is safe on our roads. Nobody plans to lose control and crash, remember the life you save could be your own.” said Acting Inspector Gary Carty of Road Safety Services.
Everyone should continue to do their part to abide by the rules of the road and keep themselves and others safe. We encourage anyone who observes aggressive driving or speed racing activities, to continue to report those instances to the police by calling 905-453-3311 or file a report through Road Watch.
For media inquiries, please contact the on-duty Media Relations Officer at (905) 453-2121, ext. 4027.
