Spring weather is tempting more drivers to floor their accelerator pedals, but police warn excessive speeders will continue facing consequences such as having their vehicles impounded.

The provincial 'street racing' law in Ontario, which took effect Sept. 30, provides increased penalties for driving 50 km/h over the speed limit. They include a seven-day seizure of the vehicle, a seven-day licence suspension, six demerit points and fines of $2,000-$10,000 upon conviction.

Excessive speeding automatically draws the charge of stunt driving, which includes any type of race driving, such as two cars racing or doing 360 or 180 degree turns.

The OPP have charged more than 4,000 motorists with driving 50 km/h or more over the speed limit since the law took effect.

Many such incidents occur across the Hwy. 407 toll road outside of the rush hour periods, said Const. Dave Woodford. "It's not as busy through the course of the day and there's a tendency to put the pedal to the metal. We see a lot of it, especially at night and on weekends when they could just fly right across there."

Woodford said a vehicle reportedly travelling at 170 km/h last week on Hwy. 404 led to another vehicle's accident. No serious injuries were reported.

"They're making last-minute lane changes and someone put on the brakes. Because of the high speed, there were unnecessary lane changes that indirectly caused a rollover into the ditch."

He said more motorists are calling in speeding drivers and he encourages them to call *OPP (677). 'Report them immediately and we will try and intercept them. The more help we get, the better it is for safety on the highway."

Woodford said callers should try and get a licence number, then a warning letter can be mailed to the speeding driver or an officer can be sent to visit them.

Excessive speeding just isn't acceptable and certainly not worth the risk. Drivers should understand this now before it's too late.