freestylzz

On CP24 (City Pulse 24 Hr News Channel) in the Toronto area and GTA at 9 EST "Legal Briefs" with Lorne Honickman and Sgt Cam Woolley of the OPP discussing illegal street racing and the new legislation.

Catch the repeat later tonight on CP24.

It should be interesting to hear what sort of issues are mentioned.

mikesz1984

damn i dont get this channel

roughskinjrz

what channel is this on? i have digital cable i'd like to see it

George

24 on Rogers

Eric2ndGen

Dang- I knew there was a disadvantage to using Dish Network with 300 channels and not paying the cable guys.

freestylzz

Well, for those that missed it, this was a 1 hour interative talk show.

What was firstly mentioned was the glorification that Hollywood has made of street racing in the latest installment of F&F and with the whole phenomena of drifting.

The Sgt did make it a point that this legislation is proposed, so it hasn't actually passed and come into effect as of yet. Essentially it will target those vehicles on the road that have been modified (both by performance alterations and in appearance). By the jest of it, I got the impression that the authorities will be pulling anyone over in violation of this for visual inspection. I know that essentially, they've been doing this for quite some time now, but as to what the new penalties and implications might be, weren't too clearly stated in the show.

Aswell, even non-modified street vehicles caught engaged in aggressive street driving with other vehicles, be it from street light to street light, or over long distances, are subject to the these new harsh "street racing" legislation. I do recal though, that what these penalties would include are stiff fines, revocation of your driving licence and vehicle, and jail time upon conviction.

There was a little visual segement (video) presented on a few sub-compact tuner cars (i.e Z24's and the imports of sorts). Not once did I see any footage of domestic muscle (or thirdgen) included.

The show allowed callers to bring up some good points. Many were for this new and harsh legislation. Others, many so-called "enthusiasts" who claim to simply alter their car for appearance, are concerned about the harassment point of things.

One caller suggested the authorities have placed too much emphasis on "street racing" lately, citing alcohol and drunk drivers injures and kills more people, but has not been such a large issue in the media lately.

Overall, my impression was that the authorites will be targetting and pulling over anyone, of course, caught street racing (performance vehicle or daily grocery getter), anyone with a performance modified vehicle, wether in sound and looks (i.e loud mufflers, lowered vehicles, annoying aggressive racing stickers, outragious tail wings....etc etc you get my drift).

Even moreso, it looks as though the authorites will be targeting, or at least paying close attention to the younger driver. Those ranging in the age of 18-24 or so, many of whom just so happen to be those who are highly influenced by the tuner market.

mikesz1984

now i wonder what their idea of modified is, my car is stock looking except for a cowl hood(if i have to i can get rid of it now), i also have modified my engine, i have trasplanted a completely stock l98 out of a 1987 transam into my 84z28, does this mean my car is now illegal? Yes it does have more power than stock, but not as much as my 327 had(my 327 had 245rwhp, and my l98 has 180 rwhp) The reason i transplated it was for better fuel econmy, and better emissions.

freestylzz

Good point Mike, but I think if you get an officer who knows 3rd gens didn't come with large cowl hoods, chances are he'll think you've obviously modified your car (at least in appearnce), and quite likely also internally (performance upgrades and modifications). Again, if you get an officer who pulls you over and pops your vehicle hood, and knows you've made some obvious modifications, you could be subject to some penalties (as to what, again, I'm not too certain). I.E I was once pulled over by an officer who, well may have not known Ive upgraded engines and performance parts over the original stock components, but he knew very well I didn't have the original smog equipment that came with the vehicle (pollution pumps and hoses).

One of the callers did bring up this point. How are we assured that if we do get pulled over, that the officer will be fair and knowledgeable about things. The only thing the Sgt stated was that the officers are "trained and will be trained to know what to look for"; whatever that might mean.

In some sort of way, I am glad that I never made any sorts of aggressive exernal modifications to my Z. In reality, I like to keep it original and stockish looking. The only disadvantage is that it's extremely loud and has dual 3 1/2 pipes comming out the rear. It's quite likely I'l get bit for this.

johnyIROC

I didn't see the show... but I don't think they can actually enforce all of that stuff... it will never pass as you are describing it.

For one... they can't give you a ticket for having "flashy paint and graphics"... unless it is like chrome or something like that (distracting other drivers). If we all have to drive cars that are the same colour and the same performance... we might as well become comunists.

As far as performance modifications.... unless they plan on adopting something similar to california... they will never be able to define what modifications are okay and which ones aren't.

The new Z06 corvette comes out of the box with over 500HP.... if there is never any reason to make your car run better and to have more power... they should not be allowed to sell the Z06 corvette in this country.... and if that is the case I need to move to a different country.

roughskinjrz

nothing on my car is stock i dont think, i dont have EGR, air tubes on headers, i have the charcoal canister, i dont have a catalytic converter.. the motor is in my signature...

i think im fubared

freestylzz

[QUOTE=johnyIROC]

For one... they can't give you a ticket for having "flashy paint and graphics"... unless it is like chrome or something like that (distracting other drivers). If we all have to drive cars that are the same colour and the same performance... we might as well become comunists.

QUOTE]

Nobody said anything about getting tickets for flashy paint and graphics. But it certainly gives the cops the idea that there may be "other" things done to a vehicle if this is the case. I just see it as giving the cops a reason to pull you over. Then they can nab you for violations such as your car being lowered way beyond original specs. No emissions equipment. And anything else they can get you for.

Ya, this sort of stuff really bugs me. When car manufactureres can make essentially "street racing" cars for us to buy. But then the cops want to nab us for something when we drive them on the streets for something.
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Sorry dude. With that honkin' BIG a*s cowl you got there (which does not look bad may I say), it does give people the impression you've got a menacing looking street rod.

roughskinjrz

ill have to move back to new brunswick where they dont give a ****...

Cruz'N Bruz'R

"Arrest me, or **** off!" Simple as that. Search the car all you want.

I'll be polite, if they're polite, if they're not, then they will get no respect from me. I have no problem calling a lawyer if need be. i can see alot of harrasment charges being laid against local law enforcement when this crackdown really starts. If it goes to court, the only just cause the officer can give for pulling you over is "it looked like a modified car Your Honor", and if that holds up as a just cause in this country, then everyone might as well start smuggling and dealing crack, cause apparently it's not as bad as street racing.

Eric2ndGen

I wonder if refusal to search a vehicle will be an option? Cops are not mechanics and the vehicle itself is still "property"- and maybe I'm confusing us with our American brothers- but a vehicle can't be searched unless it's abandoned, part of a crime scene, the owner(driver) grants permission or there is "just cause". "Just cause" of course can be pretty fuzzy- if the Feds make a criminal code offense out of it- then maybe "just cause" could very well be a funky paint job or loud exhaust.

Isn't George here some sort of lawyer/paralegal? What is his 'take' on this business- seeing as how he started the other topic relating to this subject.

Daz

iTrader: (1)

I think all they have to say is that their in suspicion of drugs or any contraban present in a vehicle to do a search

roughskinjrz

yeah they can make up any excuse to search the vehicle.

iroc2nv

hate to tell you guys, but if the cops dont check your vehicle, they will call someone in who is licensed, and if they cant do it where your vehicle is, they tow it, AT YOUR EXPENSE and they dont give a rats *** if they wreck anything as it goes on and off the tow truck.

Welcome to canussia!!