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The Tories’ get tough policy on crime is about to accelerate for those who like to put their foot on their accelerators.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has confirmed his government is planning to toughen up the laws around street racing, a move that will leave those found guilty facing stiffer jail sentences and with a criminal record.

Some of those convicted of the unsafe practice could also be prohibited from driving altogether.

Street racing has become a fact of life in urban centres across the country, inclduing Toronto.

It usually involves two cars going head-to-head against each other on a large stretch of pavement at speeds normally reserved only for NASCAR participants.

The results can be deadly.

It was just last January when two young teens were charged with criminal negligence causing death after their alleged attempts to turn a video game into a real life event led to the death of a Toronto taxi driver.

Police allege 18-year-olds Alexander Ryazanov and Wang−Piao Dumani Ross were racing each other up Mt. Pleasant and St. Clair Ave. late at night in their parents' Mercedes, when taxi driver Tahir Khan attempted to make a left hand turn.

One of the luxury cars smashed straight into the 46-year-old cabbie, and he died at the scene.

That was the most publicized tragedy connected to the practice but it was by no means the only one.

Police believe a 22-year-old motorcycle rider who was killed on Highway 401 near Jane on March 18th may have been racing against another biker.

Proponents of the pasttime claim they’d be happy to exercise their need for speed at a local track, if the government was willing to put the money out to build one for them.

Authorities counter it’s not their responsibility to scratch that illegal itch and that the racers shouldn’t be heading down public streets at unsafe speeds for any reason.

There's no immediate word on when the new law will come into effect.

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