Police dealing with complaints of street racing and large parking lot gatherings

Saskatoon police say now that the weather has warmed up, they have been receiving complaints about street racing and gatherings of people in vehicles in parking lots.

The police said Eighth Street East and Spadina Crescent are the areas with the most activity.

The police warn that, in addition to enforcing Saskatchewan’s Public Health Orders of social distancing and limiting gatherings to fewer than 10 people, officers will be watching for traffic and Criminal Code violations as well.

Non-compliance with the health orders and violations of traffic or criminal laws can result in fines or imprisonment.

Driving without reasonable consideration for others carries fines of $580 for the first offence, $1,400 for the second offence (with a vehicle being impounded) and $2,100 for the thrid offence (also with the vehicle being impounded).

Racing or driving in a contest of speed carries a $205 fine, stunting comes with a $150 fine, and creating a loud and unnecessary noise is punishable by a $100 fine.

Speeding tickets start at $170. For driving more than 25 kilometres per hour over the limit, tickets start at $538. For exceeding the limit by 50 km/h or more, tickets start at $809.

Passing a stopped emergency vehicle (with its emergency lights in operation) at more than 60 km/h earns a driver a $270 fine.

There also are Criminal Code penalties such as:

• Dangerous driving — imprisonment up to 10 years;
• Dangerous driving causing bodily harm — imprisonment up to 14 years;
• Dangerous driving causing death — imprisonment up to life.

Anyone witnessing stunting or street racing is asked to contact the police at 306-975-8300. Concerns about non-compliance with the Public Health Orders can be reported by calling 1-855-559-5502.