News
GTA police services come together to eliminate street racing

May 23, 2024, Toronto, Ont. – Today, police services from across the GTA came together to launch Project ERASE (Eliminate Racing Activity on Streets Everywhere). The annual multi-jurisdictional campaign addresses illegal street racing, stunt driving and other dangerous driving practices on area roads.

Street racing has no boundaries, and through combined education and enforcement, police services across the GTA are working collaboratively to reduce serious injury and death on area roads.

Police from Toronto, York, Peel, Halton, Hamilton and OPP provided updates on their respective jurisdictions and issued a warning that these behaviours will not be tolerated.

Toronto Police Acting Deputy Chief Kelly Skinner said: “It’s crucial for people to understand the risks associated with illegal street racing and the potential consequences, not only for themselves but also for other road users. We want to emphasize the importance of keeping racing activities confined to legal racetracks – this is essential for public safety.”

In 2023, the Toronto Police Service laid a total of 1,410 stunt driving charges. Since Jan. 1, 2024, officers have already laid 579 stunt driving charges and 215 related criminal charges. There has also been a 31 per cent increase in calls for service relating to stunt driving year-to-date over the same time last year.

Acting Deputy Skinner added, “We encourage the public to report dangerous driving and illegal racing activities to police or Crime Stoppers as a proactive step towards ensuring community and road safety.”

Throughout the summer, officers will actively seek and enforce any type of street racing or stunt driving activity.

Drivers who are involved in stunt driving and street racing could be subject to:

• A 30-day licence suspension at roadside
• A 14-day vehicle impoundment at roadside (whether it’s their vehicle or not)
• A minimum fine of $2,000 and a maximum of $10,000
• A jail term of up to six months
• Six demerit points
• Upon conviction, a further licence suspension of one year for the first conviction, three to ten years for the second conviction and an indefinite suspension for the third conviction