It's now April, but Windsor police say it's no April Fools joke when they say they will come down hard on noisy car rallies.
With the arrival of spring, Windsor police have announced they will begin the annual crackdown on people drag racing and using public areas to race vehicles or otherwise make excessive noise.
"These unsanctioned events often result in excessive speeding and reckless driving, putting both participants and bystanders in danger," read a tweet from Windsor police. "The Windsor Police Service has intensified efforts to crack down on motorists using parking lots and public spaces for illegal activities like racing. Participants in these events will face substantial fines and penalties."
The Ontario Highway Traffic Act lays out the stiff penalties for drivers found guilty.
"No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a highway in a race or contest, on a bet or wager or while performing a stunt," the Act says. "Every person who contravenes...is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $2,000 and not more than $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both, and in addition, the court shall make an order suspending the person’s driver’s licence."
The Act adds that a licence suspension for a first offence could be one year.
Windsor police have asked anyone who may have witnessed racing or an illegal car rally to give them a call on their non-emergency number, (519) 258-6111.
