Police forces across Ontario have stepped up their efforts to combat street racing, speeding and aggressive driving in time for the Victoria Day long weekend.

During this year's campaign, dubbed Project Erase, officers are equipped with more enforcement powers, thanks to legislation passed last fall.

The new law allows officers to suspend driver's licences for a week and impound vehicles on the spot for those caught driving more that 50 km/h over the posted speed limit.

York Regional Police Chief Armand La Barge says the new legislation will make a big difference during this year's busy driving season.

"If an individual decides that they're going to speed and turn our roadways into their own personal drag strips this year, then they are going to get the message very quickly," La Barge told CTV Toronto.

"They're going to lose their licence, they're going to lose their vehicle, and hopefully that gets the message through to other would-be racers in the province."

Since the new street racing legislation came into effect, police forces in the GTA have seized more than 4,500 vehicles.

Debbie Virgoe, who lost her husband last June to street racing on Highway 400, helped kick off the safety campaign on Tuesday.

"Speed and reckless actions of others caused the death of my best friend, my husband David," she said.

York region police say one person dies from street racing in the GTA every three months.

Some 21 police services across the province are increasing patrols as part of the campaign, including the Ontario Provincial Police, who say their new aerial enforcement plane is already working.

One week after the aircraft patrol was launched, officers have already laid more than 90 charges.

"In the first 33 minutes the plane was in the air last week, we stopped and charged six speeders," OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino said in a news release.

"And over the course of the first week, we have laid more than 90 charges, including three for going more than 50 kilometres over the posted speed limit, making unsafe lane changes and no seatbelts."

Police are reminding drivers this long weekend to slow down, buckle up and not drink and drive. Seven people were killed on OPP-patrol roadways last Victoria Day weekend.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Galit Solomon