OPP says there will be 'zero-tolerance' at Wasaga Beach car rally
Thousands of car enthusiasts are expected to rev into Wasaga Beach this weekend, but some residents want the highly criticized unauthorized rally stopped in its tracks.
"I don't think it's a good idea. I don't think it's safe, and I don't think they should have it," says one resident who didn't wish to provide his name. "I don't think they should be allowed to have it," he adds.
However, the town says it doesn't have the authority to ban visitors, and police can't legally turn anyone away at entry points.
Instead, the town says residents can expect a "stepped-up police presence" because of the unsanctioned large-scale gathering.
Temporary speed bumps have been installed at entrance points to some parking lots to deter car buffs from using the lots for reckless driving.
As an added measure, the town temporarily closed the lot on Spruce Street and its Playland lot at Beach Area 1.
On Friday morning, Cody Alkenbrack arrived in Wasaga Beach for the weekend rally and said it's a fun event that doesn't support illegal or unruly behaviour.
"There are a lot of people that give this a bad rap," he says. "We're not here to cause problems for the locals. We don't want headaches. We don't want problems with people."
Daniel Carvalho says while he's sure there will be a large gathering, "one person doesn't make the whole crowd bad."
Still, police warn there will be a zero-tolerance approach, with a focus on traffic safety throughout the weekend. They say vehicles will be towed to impound yards with no notice if necessary.
Last year, more than 200 tickets were issued, and multiple vehicles were towed over the three days that car enthusiasts and spectators descended on Wasaga Beach.
At one point, things got so out of hand with thousands of cars screeching tires and burning rubber that police temporarily closed the town to non-residents.
NEW STUNT DRIVING PENALTIES
On Sept. 12, the province increased penalties for anyone charged with stunt driving, which applies to more than just speeding.
Aggressive driving, tailgating, racing another vehicle, intentionally cutting off another car or preventing someone from passing will result in a stunt driving charge and immediate 30-day licence suspension.
Additionally, drivers can now be charged in a specified place such as a parking lot, beach, park, bike path, trail, farm field or sports field.
Anyone charged with stunt driving will also have their vehicle promptly towed away to an impound yard for 14 days.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.