CBC News
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Police forces in Ontario say new laws allowing them to seize cars and suspend licences at the side of the road are justified by public safety concerns, even though government statistics appear to show a different story.
Eight months ago, Ontario brought in tough anti-street-racing legislation, which gives police the authority to take those actions.
Between October 2007 and this May, police laid 5,139 street-racing or stunt-driving charges.
But critics say the conviction rate is too low — about 33 per cent — to justify penalizing drivers who may never be found guilty of racing.
Source: OPP Highway Safety DivisionSource: OPP Highway Safety Division
At the Ontario legislature on Tuesday, the opposition parties suggested the law needs to be reviewed.
“It’s clearly being misinterpreted by the police, or the Crown, or the courts,” said Conservative MPP Bob Runciman.
NDP justice critic Peter Kormos said the law needs to be changed, saying it’s always dangerous to give police the discretion to suspend licences and impound cars.
“When police have unfettered powers, you’re entering into the realm of police state-ism,” said Kormos.
…
Premier Dalton McGuinty says his Liberal government will do whatever is needed to make the roads safer.
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