Four 'Speed Freaks' pay for their thrill

Sherman Ave North has been as long as I can remember one of Hamilton's hot spots for disillusioned teens and young adults looking for the adrenalin rush of a car going fast. The traffic lights at Sherman and Barton act as their Christmas tree. The perfect quarter mile stretch of black top between the corner and the rail tracks near Biggar beckon them to raise hell. The light hits green and the neighbourhood is summoned to the sound of a poorly modified six cylinder car tearing down the street towards the drivers imaginary checkered flag.

This wasn't the scene description of some clone of one of those 'Drift Racing' movies, it is the disturbing reality that is plaguing our streets. Yesterday was a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon, perfect for relaxing and getting ready for another busy work week. But not for four people who are in hospital after their vehicle struck a hydro pole on Sherman Avenue North at Biggar Avenue.

Around 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon I, like everyone else wondered why their hydro suddenly went out. Then the blaring of numerous ambulances, fire and police vehicles told us something was serious. Of course the nosey had their opinions and observances, but I'm the type who subscribes to the mind your own business and wait for the truth to unfold theory.

The truth came out today, police say a Toyota Corolla was speeding when it lost control, skidded across the road, sheared off a hydro poll before coming to rest on its roof. The driver suffered life threatening injuries, 2 others received major back injuries while the 4th man is said to have minor injuries. Alcohol appears to have been a factor, according to investigators.

The need to show off ones 'Machismo' has been around since the invention of the automobile and not much has been done since to curb the deadly tide of speed related accidents. Unfortunately, the want-to-be 'Kings' are no longer taking their game to the back dirt roads, they are endangering everyone sharing the main streets they choose as their victory road.

As a side note, I once heard of a cop in I think Los Angelas, I could be wrong. Anyway, he was an officer in charge of street crimes, and part of his duty was to try to stop the kids from tearing it up on the streets. Sick of busting the same guys sometimes nightly for 'speeding' as their was no 'street racing law', and then eventually watching the tickets going unpaid, this cop decided to get angry. But not in a forceful way, he decided to appeal to their need to show off.

With the approval of his superior's and the help of a few good cops, he took an older squad car and supped up the engine with parts confiscated in earlier busts. All on his own time, the super cop transformed the plain black and white into 'Super Fuzz'. While in his new car on patrol, he would then as usual stop a kid for racing. Instead of the standard spiel and a ticket, he would offer the opportunity of a life time. Bring it or sing it.

The deal was, bring your car to the local drag strip on the next Saturday, and race the cop in his squad car. The prize, the ticket gets ripped up and all the bragging rights that goes with silencing a cop. The catch was, the car had a nice 360 installed and the cop had some pretty decent drag racing stills. The results, the cop rarely lost and many of the kids started slowing down as they got to know the consequences of messing with this lightening rod.

I'm not saying this approach will work in Hamilton, as death doesn't seem to scare these wasted youth, but it's something better than nothing.

Later,
Kenaz