[Lester]

Man clocked going 231 km/h on DVP

By TAMARA CHERRY, Sun Media
Last Updated: 9th January 2009, 6:34pm


An Aurora man was accused of drinking and driving after his luxury car was clocked at 231 km/h on the Don Valley Parkway today.
A Toronto Police officer was driving north on the DVP from Wynford Dr. when a Mercedes Benz SL600 went whizzing by him just before 2 a.m., Toronto Police Const. Mig Roberts said.
The car was clocked at 141 km/h above the posted speed limit – 90 km/h – before being stopped at Hwy. 404 and Finch Ave. E.
John Kowal, 29, was charged with driving with a blood alcohol level over 80 mgs, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and stunt driving.
The speed clocked today may be a new record for Toronto, Sgt. Tim Burrows said.
“I don’t want to say it’s the highest, but it’s definitely way up there,” Burrows said. “It’s definitely enough that we wouldn’t want to see this more than once in a lifetime.”
Since legislation was enacted in September 2007 targeting street racers and aggressive drivers in Ontario, thousands of charges have been laid throughout the province.
As of today, Toronto had seized 726 vehicles as a result of the anti-racing and stunt driving legislation, including today's Mercedes Benz.
Of the 54 traffic fatalities last year, police alleged 13 were caused by excessive speed, while eight were as a result of alcohol.
“When you mix speed and alcohol, usually the outcome is tragic,” Roberts said. “Luckily, he (the driver) was stopped in time by an officer from traffic services to prevent any further event.”