Street Racing: Harper to criminalize what is already a crime
Courts just need a whack now and then so that judges stop having an excuse to hand out lean sentences to killers like street racers, drunk drivers, etc. So I can understand toughening the law, but is Harper proposing a new law really?
Why do we get to buy cars that reach 160km/h? I’d guess that building a nice car that works well at 110km/h is going to work well enough and have an engine that can reach 160km/h too. Since I was a kid though I really did wonder why cars are sold with that capability. Since I’m against Digital Restrictions Managment on music CDs, or other DRM that artifically limits technical capabilities on personal property, it would be a bit hypocritical for me to lobby for speed governors on cars. However, it’s a fair point to make that speed kills and copying music doesn’t, unless it’s [insert some bad musician's name here]. Oh, or another joke, “copying music doesn’t kill, unless the RIAA gets their way.”
It’s probably due to consumers being impressed by the maximum capabilities of products, even if they never use them that way. There are still features on my Canon camera that I haven’t used, but it’s nice to know they are there if I do want them. Also, the Liberals and Conservatives are always in power, and limiting people’s freedoms of their products hasn’t traditionally been their goal. That’s why GM and Ford can still make SUVs that get ~8 MPG. And their primary opposition, the NDP, have been in the pocket of the auto industry unions for a long time and aren’t going to shake the wrong tree that they are barking up so they can bite the handouts that feed them, or some mixed metaphors like that.
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Stephen Glauser | 19-Jun-06 at 6:05 pm | Permalink
You have to keep in mind that some people do use their vehicles at the track (such as myself) and would be upset with a car limited at 110km/h.
I do agree though that street racing is extremely dangerous and Harper is making the correct move here.
Saskboy | 19-Jun-06 at 6:24 pm | Permalink
Perhaps a system of insurance where a person can pay to have their speed ungoverned all of the time, so they can use it at the track. That way when a car is stolen there won’t be 110+ highspeed chases away from police, since the car won’t be capable, and legit racers can still legally have high performance vehicles anytime, and take their chances of their cars being targetted for theives looking to race. Just one angle to consider, there are many others.
Stephen Glauser | 21-Jun-06 at 3:59 pm | Permalink
Tougher Street Racing Laws…
Stephen Harper and the Conservative government have tabled new legislation that would inflict tougher penalties on those caught street racing. In street racing incidents that result in what is deemed “dangerous driving causing death,” a lifetime impr…
S.H.Brouwer | 21-Jun-06 at 6:02 pm | Permalink
I say inforce the laws we have. These include vehicular manslaughter and careless driving. Making a specific law although its intend has merrit, really is not the solution. Education is, and working together to develop area drag strips where those who wish to race and prove the speed of there vehicles can do so under safe conditions. Some 50 years ago many communities had quarter or half mile ovals where the pride and joy of those who wished to race were permitted to do so for a few dollars. This was before big business stepped in and made such events too expensive. Perhaps such places would take a bit of the thrill away from doing something illegal, but I think most thinking young folk would take kindly to such a set up and likely would participate in its design, function and development.
Saskboy | 21-Jun-06 at 6:36 pm | Permalink
I think you’re right SH, there aren’t enough accessible public spaces for kids to do anything these days. Whether it’s gangs, or just elderly town councils, the benefit of having open wild space to play games or play with cars legally, is hurting society in unspeakable ways. We need more hockey rinks, basketball and tennis courts, parks, and tracks just about in every town or city.
Traffic Ticket Toronto | 13-Nov-07 at 8:26 pm | Permalink
The problem with goveners is that they can easily be disengaged. The issue is with society and all the car movies and video games where teens race and skid around everything from underground garages and so on…