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Illegal Street Racing
What is street racing?
Illegal street racing is a form of auto racing that takes place on public roads, and can be either spontaneous or planned. Spontaneous races usually occur at intersections where 2 cars are stopped at a red light, and begin racing when the light turns green.
What's so bad about it?
Though illegal and extremely dangerous, efforts to stop street racing are often ignored despite its serious (and often deadly) consequences. Unlike driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs, illegal street racing has not publicly been identified as a major danger, even though about 50 of every 1000 people that participate in street races around the die due to racing. This startling statistic is proof that more efforts need to be made in stopping this treacherous activity.
Some addition facts about street racing:
- In 2001, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that police listed street racing as a factor in 135 fatal crashes. The total was up from 72 street-racing-related fatalities reported in 2000.
- In San Diego, where the street racing problem has been termed "epidemic," 16 deaths and 31 injuries were directly related to illegal street racing in 2001. The city's attorney's office prosecuted 147 illegal street racing cases in 1999, 161 in 2000, and 290 in 2001.
- A street racer can be arrested and have their car impounded for 30 days. In addition, street racing can result in the loss of one’s license for life.
- If convicted of street racing or aiding a street race, you can be imprisoned for up to three months and fined up to $1,000. Spectators are subject to penalties as well.
- Tires lose about 500 miles of normal wear for every "peel out." "Peeling out" ultimately destroy the cars clutch disk, expensive to have fixed. Revving an engine excessively leads to broken valve springs, bent valves, etc. Thus, the street racing lifestyle is as expensive as it is dangerous.
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