Nanaimo RCMP are increasing enforcement efforts aimed at street racing and dangerous driving after a rise in complaints from residents and concerns from officers on the road. Police say they have been receiving calls about late-night racing, excessive vehicle noise and motorcycles being operated dangerously. Const. Gary O’Brien said the recent response from the community has been stronger than in previous years. “The public is incensed by the activities,” O’Brien said. “We’ve heard from officials within the city. We heard from the public and our members are seeing it as well.” O’Brien said officers are seeing the behaviour happen regularly, including vehicles racing each other, motorcycles travelling on sidewalks, riders travelling two abreast, performing wheelies and vehicles doing donuts in parking lots. “We realize that we have to take responsibility, have to crack down and stop this behaviour before somebody gets seriously hurt,” he said. Police say some of the people involved are young drivers and riders who may not fully understand the risks. “A lot of the people who are doing it are predominantly young men about anywhere from 15 to 19 years of age,” O’Brien said. “Many of them are still living at home, and we’re asking for the parents and caregivers, brothers and sisters to reach out to these people.” Police identify problem areas RCMP say several areas of Nanaimo have been recurring locations for dangerous driving activity. The Duke Point area has been a concern for years, although O’Brien said previous efforts helped reduce the problem there, but some are gathering in that location again. Mounties say the noise from activity in the Duke Point area has even been heard by residents on Gabriola Island. Police are also seeing concerns along Departure Bay and Highway 19A, where O’Brien said officers have seen vehicles racing in tandem. “You’ll have two cars actually taking up both lanes, weaving back and forth, and you can tell that they’re driving like in tandem, and they’re racing each other,” he said. Police are reminding drivers that the consequences can be significant. “If they’re caught, it’s an automatic impoundment for at least seven days,” O’Brien said. “A lot of them are young drivers. They’ll most likely have their licence suspended and reviewed by the Superintendent Motor Vehicle Branch, and they can lose it for months on end.” RCMP increasing patrols and inspections Police say the enforcement campaign will include more targeted patrols, traffic stops, vehicle inspections and education. O’Brien said officers will be looking for vehicles that are unsafe to operate, including those with worn tires or illegal modifications. “They’ll be giving inspection notices to be taken off the road,” he said. He added that enforcement is only one part of the response. “We recognize there’s an enforcement component, but there’s also education,” O’Brien said. “Our members will be working with them because we know that they’re young persons, and sometimes they’re not making the correct choices.” Police say they have already taken enforcement action, although they did not provide specific numbers, and said they expect those numbers to increase. Mayor says residents have been raising concerns Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog said he has been hearing from residents about the issue and has shared those concerns with police. “People have corresponded with me via email, and I, in turn, have alerted the police to this ongoing issue,” Krog said. “The RCMP has made it very clear they’re going to ramp up enforcement efforts, and I’m delighted to hear it, because it’s an ongoing frustration for a number of our citizens,” The mayor acknowledged police face challenges, including staffing pressures, but said the behaviour needs to stop. “I have to say to the young people in particular who seem to be involved in this. For heaven’s sake, think about the safety of your fellow citizens,” Krog said. Public asked to report, not intervene Police are asking residents who witness street racing or dangerous driving to avoid putting themselves in danger. O’Brien said people should not follow vehicles or attempt to intervene. “If they see it happening, pull over, if it’s safe to do so, and when your car is stopped, call 911,” he said. Police say information from the public can help identify those involved and prevent future crashes. O’Brien said many people already know who is participating and where they are gathering. “We need to hear from them because it’s not the situation of, ‘we told on this person,’” he said. “We need to know because we want to stop that behaviour before somebody is seriously injured.” Message to drivers, riders and parents O’Brien urged parents and caregivers who suspect a young person may be involved to have a conversation before police are responding to a serious crash. “Please reach out to them. Have a sit-down discussion over the kitchen table,” he said. Krog also encouraged parents to take an active role. “You shouldn’t be letting your kids have access to vehicles unless you’re satisfied that they’re prepared to play by the rules of the road and respect public safety and take responsibility for their own behaviours,” he said. For those participating in street racing or dangerous riding, Krog had a simple message. “Smarten up, grow up, and consider the safety of not just yourselves, but more, just as importantly, your fellow citizens who are impacted by these behaviours.” O’Brien said the risks are clear and the goal is to prevent a tragedy. “We’re the ones that will have to go there when there’s a significant collision or accident on the highway,” he said. “So please talk to them before we get to that point.”
