The city of Vaughan is cracking down on illegal car parades with fines of up to $10,000

The Town of Vaughan is working with York Regional Police to crack down on drivers who turn parking lots and other locations into their racetracks.

Officials say that motorcades organized on social media and gathering large numbers of people are not only illegal, but also a danger to people.

Mayor Stephen Del Duca, along with York Police Chief Jim McSween, announced the city's bylaw amendment. Regulations on special events and Noise regulation at a news conference on Tuesday as part of what they called Operation Silent Night.

McSween said it's a problem that gets worse as the sun warms.

“The scale and scope of these rallies should concern everyone, and the dangerous behavior is a public safety issue. “These groups occupy parking lots, squares and other public properties,” he said.

As a result, the city amended the special events ordinance with fines of up to $10,000.

“Unauthorized car parades are not allowed in Won. Period. These gatherings disturb residents and businesses and pose a significant threat to public safety. The behavior that occurs at these events is not tolerated and we will do everything we can to stop such incidents from happening,” said Del Duca.

Officials say that they will prosecute not only people in cars, but also spectators and car owners.

“Whether you're actively participating in an illegal car rally, whether you're watching it, whether you're not even physically present, but the vehicle you own is actually in the car rally,” Del Duca said at a news conference.

According to officials, the maximum fine for participating in an unauthorized motorcade or holding a vehicle is $10,000. The city and police can also impose administrative fines of $1,000 for the first offense and $2,000 for any subsequent offense.

“This includes anyone who sponsors, collects, coordinates, advertises, hosts or sells,” the authority said in a statement.

Anyone who attends an unauthorized car rally or is a passenger in a vehicle may be fined up to $10,000 or subject to an administrative fine of $500.

The Special Events Regulations have been amended to prohibit participation in unauthorized motorcades, including:

• sponsor, fundraise, coordinate, advertise or hold a car rally
• viewing, attending or bringing a car to a car show
• drive a car or ride as a passenger in a car rally
• stop, slow or obstruct traffic, including pedestrian traffic
• the aftermath of the motorcade
• to be a salesman at a car rally

The city also amended its Noise Ordinance to “prohibit any person from making, causing or permitting noise.”
unauthorized car rally”, maximum fine of $5,000.

Violators may be fined or subject to an administrative fine of $1,000 for the first offense and $2,000 for any subsequent offense.

Changes to special events and noise regulations were approved by Vaughan City Council on March 26.