Ontario's street racing laws seem to be making an impact as police statistics show a decline in highway traffic fatalities. However, the Ontario Provincial Police were still keeping a sharp eye on the roads over the long weekend, charging thousands of people with driving offences.
Police laid 7,740 charges over the weekend, OPP Sgt. Cam Woolley told CTV.ca Tuesday. Police charged about 150 drivers with street racing, including 15 people who live outside of the province.
One man from New York was reportedly driving 227 km/h on Highway 427 in west Toronto. The man allegedly told police he had eaten corn soup and needed to find a bathroom.
Police said more than 5,000 people were charged on the province's highways, and a total of 5,643 speeding charges were laid. Two aircraft used by police lead to 561 charges being laid.
So far, there have been about 80 fewer fatalities this year than police reported in 2007.
"I think we are seeing a significant amount of change in the tallies out there," said OPP Const. Dave Woodford. "There is a 33 per cent change in the number of fatalities from the same time last year."
Woolley said the difference came after new legislation was passed last September that allowed authorities to immediately impound a vehicle from anybody caught driving at least 50 kilometres over the speed limit. Under the new law, the driver also faces fines and has his license suspended on the spot for a week.
Despite the improvement on the roads, police say marine fatalities have increased compared to last year. This year, 21 people have died on the water this year compared to 15 at the same point in 2007.
