Police are worried about life imitating art with the release of a new street racing movie. The fourth installment of the "Fast & Furious" hits the big screens Friday, and according to cops they've seen disturbing trends that have coincided with the series' previous releases.

"There absolutely is a concern for us," admits Sgt. Tim Burrows.  "Every year that this movie's been released we've actually noticed a spike in the collision rates and there's been multiple fatals every single week. We don't normally have multiple fatals in one week. It coincides when these movies are released."

As a result of those concerns, York Regional Police will be deployed on Project E.R.A.S.E., (Eliminate Racing Activities on Streets Everywhere) over the weekend.  It is a province-wide initiative.

"We hope that people have gotten the message...we're not going to be tolerating the fact that you're going to use our public roadways as your own private racetrack. Hollywood does what they do with a lot of precision and timing and careful practice. That just doesn't happen on our streets with these behaviours."

Police are also hoping new, stricter street racing laws will act as deterrence.

Legislation has increased maximum fines from $1,000 to $10,000 and authorities now have the ability to suspend licences and impound vehicles for racing and stunt driving.

What do the laws against street racing and stunt driving call for? Here's the list:

• The minimum fine is $2,000 while the maximum is $10,000 after a conviction, the highest penalty in Canada . 
• Police can issue an immediate seven-day driver's licence suspension and seven-day vehicle impoundment for street racing, participating in a driving contest or stunt driving. 
• Courts can impose a driver licence suspension of up to 10 years for a second conviction, if the second conviction occurs within 10 years of the first.  For a first conviction, the maximum licence suspension period remains at 2 years.
• The definition of a "driving stunt" includes driving a motor vehicle at 50 km/h or more above the posted speed limit.
• The Act also bans driving a motor vehicle on a highway with a connected nitrous oxide system.  Some street racers use nitrous oxide to enhance the acceleration capabilities of their vehicles.

Find more on the demerit point system here.