‘Bragging rights and Instagram likes’ behind jump in Ontario street racing incidents: police – Toronto

Ontario Provincial Police say “bragging rights and Instagram likes” are a big a part of why the variety of avenue racing incidents continues to rise.

OPP held a information convention in Mississauga on Monday with representatives from the Toronto Police Service, Peel Regional Police and York Regional Police the place they supplied an replace on their joint efforts to fight avenue racing and stunt driving, dubbed Mission Buccaneer.

OPP Deputy Commissioner of Site visitors Security Rose DiMarco mentioned avenue racing incidents as we speak “are terribly brazen and elaborately orchestrated occasions.”

“They lead to harmful behaviours that threaten the protection of all contributors and by extension to their audiences, stay and on social media. Together with unlawful organized occasions at particular places, the variety of racing incidents on our highways and roads continues to climb.”

Police mentioned since January 2021, they’ve been taking a “zero-tolerance method” for individuals who flout visitors legal guidelines.

They famous that as a part of their coordinated efforts, in Might and June this 12 months, 35 felony fees have been laid for offences together with impaired driving and harmful operation of a motorcar.

There have been additionally 104 fees laid for dashing and 20 fees for stunt driving opposite to the province’s Freeway Site visitors Act.

There have been 261 fees laid for different offences.

Police additionally famous that between January 2021 and April of this 12 months, there have been 2,852 mixed requires extreme pace and unlawful racing, 4,106 requires service that referenced “avenue racing” and 72 requires crashes linked to racing within the OPP freeway jurisdiction.

Police mentioned their investigation is ongoing.

OPP Insp. Kevin Connor, the lead for Mission Buccaneer, was requested what could possibly be driving what police mentioned was a rise within the variety of avenue racing incidents lately.

“One of many issues that we at all times attempt to establish is what’s the motive in participating in these actions? And for us, it appears to be bragging rights and Instagram likes and Instagram followers, and that appears to be a major motivator to us,” Connor mentioned.

“Definitely the chance doesn’t appear to be well worth the reward.”

Police mentioned that if somebody needs to race, they need to go to a non-public observe the place it may be performed safely.

“Whereas racing has an extended and storied historical past in Canada, it’s rightful place is on purpose-built speedways and highway programs at sanctioned occasions with correct security tools and personnel in place. Not on highways and never on metropolis streets,” DiMarco mentioned.