Dangerous drivers targeted by cops in Mississauga and Brampton

Police in Mississauga and Brampton are taking direct aim at dangerous drivers this week as part of a Canada-wide enforcement effort to make the roads safer.

Starting Tuesday (May 17), Peel Regional Police will focus even more on road safety violations, zeroing in on dangerous and impaired drivers, street racing, distracted driving and other offences.

Canada Road Safety Week takes place in partnership with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) and police services across Canada.

“Supported by officers from divisions in Mississauga and Brampton, members of our Road Safety Services team will be undertaking a multi-pronged approach towards safer roadways,” Peel police said in a news release.

Commercial vehicle safety and Peel police Project Noisemaker and ERASE, an annual summer campaign targeting illegal street racers and excessively loud vehicles, are part of the enhanced campaign.

The goal, police say, is to make Mississauga and Brampton safer for motorists and pedestrians.

“Road safety is one of our primary areas of focus under the Community Safety and Well-Being paradigm,” said Peel police Deputy Chief Marc Andrews.

Police add the road safety campaign should also be a reminder to drivers that the decisions they make not only affect themselves, but also passengers, other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians with whom they all share the road.

“Quite often, drivers make choices on the level of risk they are personally willing to take without any regard for the risk posed to others,” police say.

On May 1, Peel police launched their annual zero-tolerance campaign against street racing in the region.

Dubbed Project Noisemaker and ERASE, the six-month initiative directly targets both illegal street racers and “excessively loud vehicles” that create noise pollution.

“For the next six months, these ongoing projects will target street racing activities in Peel and motor vehicles with modified and/or excessively loud exhaust systems on the roads,” Peel police said in an earlier news release. “Drivers are reminded that they will be subject to charges and penalties for offences under the Highway Traffic Act and breaking municipal bylaws, and (they) could face seizure of their vehicles and a roadside suspension of their driver’s licence.”