Street Racing? Not in this province!

The Ministry of the Attorny General of Ontario says it is standing by its street racing laws which a provincial court ruling in Newmarket stated was unconsitutional. The law itself states that any driver caught driving speeds exceeding 50 km/hr over the speed limited will be considered street racing or stunt-driving. The provincial court had ruled that the six-month jail sentence that could accompany the charge, as well as up to $2000 in fines is considered unconstitutional by the courts because it does not allow the accused to present a defense.

I don't know if a agree with not allowing an accused to present a defense in this situation. This might well be unconsitutional because there are certainly circumstances in which a driver may be forced to speed. Perhaps its a medical or personal emergency that a judge or crown could hear, and determine that there was reasonalbe justification for speeding. At the same time, the number of deaths as a result of street racing is also a legimiate concern in which strict laws need to be in place. There needs to be a heavy deterent to speeding that will remind drivers that if caught speeding, they will be heavily fined and even placed in jail. While I don't agree with not allowing a defense, the deaths from speeding seem tragic when people are speeding for no reason. People need to remember they are driving 2 ton death machines that can end their life and the lives of others if they are careless behind the wheel.

Source:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/crime/streetracing/article/729505--ontario-stands-firm-on-street-racing-law