A driver who was caught in a helicopter surveillance video making donuts and driving at 180km / h on a freeway curb earlier this month is just one of many reckless driving incidents police say he is seeing the York region.
Now, police say they are launching a street race bombing that will work with other police agencies in the Greater Toronto Area to crack down on acrobatics and street racing.
In the video, released by York police on Wednesday, investigators say a 19-year-old driver can be seen driving a car without license plates on May 12 and making donuts in an industrial area near Highway 7 and the courtyard. railway to Vaughan.
The man can then be seen driving at 180 km / h on the sidewalk of Highway 400 and allegedly maneuvering to escape from the police. He eventually enters a condominium parking garage on Baker Hill Boulevard and flees before being caught by officers and arrested.
✅Doned to the car park
✅Passing through the access ramp
✅Driving at 200 km / h on the side of the motorway
✅Removing license plates
❌Evasion of arrest by
The 19-year-old in need of speed put hundreds of lives at risk on May 12. pic.twitter .com / hrLPbny1Wu
& mdash; @YRP
On Wednesday, York police announced it would launch a street-level bombing that would use the force helicopter to help ground officers monitor vehicles preparing to compete, as well as vehicles “traveling at speeds vehicles and vehicles that do not comply with safety regulations “.
York Police Inspector Ian Hill said speeding remains a major factor in many deadly collisions in the region.
“Using helicopters, unmarked vehicles and the deployment of specially trained officers, our mission is to change this aggressive and dangerous driver behavior,” Hill said at the launch of the project in Stouffville, Ontario. Wednesday.
Street racing, driving acrobatics on the rise
Hill said reckless road behavior has been on the rise since the pandemic began, when roads and parking lots were unused and empty due to blockade measures.
Since then, York police and other GTA law enforcement agencies have seen an increase in drivers gathered in large groups for car meetings, parades and racing activities, Hill added.
In 2021, there were 74 arrests in the York region. Police said they filed 68 criminal charges, 510 traffic law charges and arrested 65 vehicles.
Police said around this time of year, “modified vehicles” are starting to roll on the roads and some drivers seem to think they can use our streets as a personal circuit.
“Aggressive driving and street racing are dangerous and illegal activities that put innocent people at risk of injury or death,” a press release said on Wednesday.
“The real goal of these drivers can be court, fines, imprisonment, confiscation of vehicles, loss of driving privileges or, worse, hospital or morgue.”