Imagine a society so dictatorial that just being a spectator at a parking lot car meet could get you slapped with a $1,000 fine. A place so intolerant that bringing a flashy ride to a car show risks a $10,000 fine if SOMEONE ELSE does a burnout.
That’s what’s happening in the suburbs of Toronto where car meets are being outlawed. The local mayor uses such incendiary language, calling the car meets dangerous and intimidating to scare up support from locals. It’s too much!
The city of Vaughan changed its bylaws, giving them real teeth. Anyone who brought their car to a meet-up faces a $10,000 fine for participating in an ‘unauthorized car rally’ and an additional $5,000 penalty for revving an engine and violating noise bylaws. Even people NOT actually stunt driving, but rather just looking at the cars can expect penalties of $1,000, That jumps to $2,000 for looking a second time.
Car enthusiasts put a lot of time, effort and money into their vehicles. They take pride in showing of their creativity and deserve a place to showcase that. Informal car meet-ups are important social gatherings that provide a sense of community to enthusiasts, based on shared interests.
Just because there’s a large gathering of people (especially young people) doesn’t mean the event will turn into a ‘sideshow’ or ‘takeover’ with hooligans doing donuts. As citizens, we have the right to come together and associate with whomever we please. This should be encouraged, not banished just because of the bad behaviour of a handful in individuals.
Not only should the participants and organizers at these events exert greater control over bad behaviour, but they should be doing it hand in hand with local authorities. The car community and law enforcement should not be adversaries.
Nice article
Thank you, Manu. This weekend Im taking my flashy summer car and driving to a car meet (in Vaughan). I want to see if the cops will really bust a law abiding citizen (like me) just for being a spectator.
Car meets are Toronto’s TikTok. They want to ban it and make it a crime. The world gets more manic every single day. smh 😒
Fear-mongering, alarmism and scare tactics.
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Not saying I condone illegal antics, but politicians are attempting to squash an ant with a sledgehammer.
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Simple enforcement would do. Park some cop cars at the edge of the parking lot in case someone gets out of hand. But a ban is not a reasonable solution!
I completely agree 💯👍🏼
Ok nice