I drive across Ontario from Michigan to NYS and back, often. I just learned first hand about this new strict Speeding law. I was given my first ticket by the OPP over the weekend. I was not speeding that fast, but was shocked to be warned that my vehicle could be impounded and loose my license if going 50 over the speed limit - 150 km/h. http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2007/10/29/4615971-cp.html Seems rather harsh to me... Anyone else come across this yet?
"Culturally we all have a higher opinion of our own driving than it actually is, thinking we're better than we really are," McDonald said. "If you go speeding down the road you can say, 'Well, I'm not a bad person, or I'm not an idiot, I'm just simply late for a meeting,' but when the guy speeds past you down the road, he's an idiot."
50km over the speed limit? How do these idiots think it is okay to go that fast ?!?! I agree with the hefty fines and punishment -- better that than a charge of vehicular manslaughter when they eventually cause a horrible accident at that speed.
fairs fair, if you speed you're breaking the law so if you're caught, expect to get punished.....150kph is pretty damn fast too..nearly 95mph, it will take quite a distance to stop if you really have to at least you've got cops patrolling the roads to catch you rather than annoying 'average speed cameras'
i must admit... i do my far share of speeding. Here on PEI the max speed limit is 90km/hr.... which sucks. I average around the 110 mark most times, but i don't think i've ever hit 150.. even over on the mainland with the divided highways. Just too risky.
True, if you drive recklessly or intoxicated and injure someone you should be charged with a felony or misdemeanor crime, and then deal with the consequences. However, speeding itself is a traffic violation. It would appear that this law was targeted to stop drag racing but is having unintended consequences. Consider the case where there is extenuating circumstances and you are speeding: What if you need to rush your kid to the Hospital and get stopped? What if the officer does not buy your "excuse", or will only play by the book, or he thinks you have looked at him cross eyed? What if he demands to know why you didn't call an ambulance instead? To bad! The law says your car is impounded and you loose your license on the spot and then face a $2000 fine. No judge, no court hearing, no due process before the cop takes action on his own that leaves you screwed. BTW – a comparable scenario in the U.S. would be if you exceeded the 55 mph highway limit by 31mph (86mph) and instead of getting a ticket and ordered to appear before a judge, you're left on the side of the road wondering what happened to your car & license. So, does the punishment fit the crime ?
