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The law to make street racing a federal crime hasn't officially passed in the House of Commons yet, although they're working on it.
Until it is, experts aren't putting the brakes on fighting the problem.

A safety roundtable was held in Toronto Tuesday, designed to figure out ways to keep the lead foots from turning the keys in their ignitions and putting pedestrians and other drivers at risk.

While street racing isn't yet a federal crime - with the increased penalties -that designation carries - cops can lay all sorts of other traffic charges against offenders. But they have to be there and catch them first. And because the races usually happen unannounced under cover of darkness, they either don't know about them or can't get there in time.

Ontario Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield explains she'll be listening for any long or short term solutions. She believes asking experts who understand both the attraction and dangers of the risky pastime will allow the government to find a solution that works.

"The idea is bringing these folks who know and understand that community, [we'll get] some recommendations on how we can work together with the ministry and the community and the enforcement officers to promote street racing as not being an alternative of any sort on our streets," she explains.

Current deterrents to street racing include big fines, huge demerit points and even a lifetime loss of your license. But despite the pitfalls and the perils, the need for speed often trumps the need for good judgment.

Current deterrents to street racing include big fines, huge demerit points and even a lifetime loss of your license. But despite the pitfalls and the perils, the need for speed often trumps the need for good judgment, with terrible results.

Brian Patterson knows all too well the horrific consequences.
His 17-year-old cousin was killed in a car crash, along with six friends who also died. The driver that day was suspected of racing.

"It was devastating," he recalls. "My dad had to identify the body at the morgue. He's a war vet and had seen people at Normandy and it affected him greatly."

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Street racing dangers

In addition to the dangers to the drivers involved, police say the practice also creates hazards in other areas:

- It puts pedestrians and other motorists in jeopardy
- It adds to noise pollution
- It encourages vandalism
- It can harm local businesses if cars are tying up the street
- It creates extra burdens on already crumbling roads and streets

How will the proposed federal law change street racing rules? Here's a look:

Dangerous Driving - No bodily harm or death:
Now: Summary conviction or imprisonment up to five years
After: the same
(A summary conviction is reserved for the least serious offences in the Criminal Code. In general, it means a fine of up to $2,000 or six months in jail - or both.)

Dangerous Driving causing Bodily Harm
Now: Up to 10 years in prison
After: Up to 14 years in prison

Dangerous Driving causing Death:
Now: Up to 14 years in prison.
After: Potential for lifetime imprisonment

Criminal Negligence causing Bodily Harm:
Now: Up to 10 years in prison.
After: Up to 14 years in prison.

Criminal Negligence causing Death:
Now: Maximum punishment of life in prison
After: same.

What happens to your license if you get caught? Here's the rundown:

First Street Racing Conviction
Dangerous Driving - No Bodily Harm or Death: 1 to 3 years
Dangerous Driving causing Bodily Harm: 1 to 10 years
Dangerous Driving causing Death: 1 to 10 years


Criminal Negligence causing Bodily Harm: 1 to 10 years
Criminal Negligence causing Death: 1 year to life

Second Street Racing Conviction:
Dangerous Driving - No Bodily Harm or Death: 2 to 5 years
Dangerous Driving causing Bodily Harm: 2 to 10 years
Dangerous Driving causing Death: Lifetime ban
(Applies only if an offender has two convictions where someone was injured or killed as a result of street racing, and at least one of these offences caused a death .)

Criminal Negligence causing Bodily Harm: 2 to 10 years
Criminal Negligence causing Death: Lifetime ban
(Applies only if an offender has two convictions where someone was injured or killed as a result of street racing, and at least one of these offences caused a death .)

All subsequent street racing convictions:
Dangerous Driving - No Bodily Harm or Death: 3 years to life
Dangerous Driving causing Bodily Harm: 3 years to life.
Dangerous Driving causing Death: Lifetime ban
(Applies only if an offender has three or more convictions where someone was injured or killed as a result of street racing, and at least one of these offences caused a death .)

Criminal Negligence causing Bodily Harm: 3 years to life
Criminal Negligence causing Death: Lifetime ban
(Applies only if an offender has three or more convictions where someone was injured or killed as a result of street racing, and at least one of these offences caused a death .)


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