FastCop.com

Street Racing

STATISTICS

POLICE RESPONSE

PENALTIES

STREET RACING is a serious problem. According to
statistics, one in 100 participants dies in a street
racing accident.

According to the NHTSA, motor vehicle accidents are
the leading cause of death for people between the ages
of 16 and 20.

Nationwide statistics show that 49 people are injured
for every 1,000 who participate in racing.

Police reported traffic crashes [2003]
6,328,000 [US]
42,643 people killed
4,365,000 crashes were property damage only
2,889,000 injured

Average of 117 persons died each day. One person every
twelve minutes.

Seat belts saved 14,903 lives.

Alcohol related traffic fatalities rose to 17,013 in
2003 [40 percent] of all traffic fatalities.

Economic cost of speeding related crashes is estimated
to be 40.4 billion each year.

One out of nine traffic fatalities in 2003 resulted
from a collision involving a large truck.

In 27 percent of all passenger vehicle fatalities, the
occupant was ejected from the vehicle.

More than 1/2 of the passenger vehicle occupants
killed in 2003 were unrestrained.

POLICE RESPONSE TO STREET RACING

Police departments, including Los Angeles, California;
Fairfax County, Virginia; and Kent, Washington, have
organized task forces to address the problem of street
racing. A multi-pronged approach seems to be the most
effective way to address the problem. Strategies
include:

Educational programs targeted at parents and teen
drivers to portray the dangers of street racing.

Legitimate, sponsored events at racetracks, stadiums
or on public property.

Police patrols targeting, ticketing and - in some
cases - towing vehicles with modified emission systems
or exhausts and with illegal after-market lighting
equipment and other "goodies" that violate motor
vehicle equipment laws, the theory being that if you
remove the "toys", the incentive to race is reduced.

Encouraging owners of shopping centers and industrial
complexes to post their properties against trespassing
after hours and to authorize the police to lodge
trespassing charges against people found there.

Identifying roads into industrial complexes and
shopping centers that are used for illegal after-hours
activities, and passing ordinances prohibiting
vehicles from entering them between 10:00 p.m. on
Friday and 5:00 a.m. on Monday without a legitimate
reason for being there.

Using undercover officers to infiltrate the street
racing fraternity and to provide intelligence as to
when and where these races are to be held and who will
be participating, with an emphasis on obtaining
warrants and arresting the ringleaders. Passage of
"spectator ordinances" that make it possible to arrest
persons who are spectators at illegal street races.

Passage of vehicle confiscation ordinances that allow
police to tow and impound vehicles used in illegal
street racing for periods of 30 days or more and, for
multiple offenses, to sell the vehicles (de-modified)
at public auction.

Working with highway engineers to install physical
barriers and other modifications to the existing
street environment in locations where street racing
flourishes, and providing police input into the
planning process for new road construction in order to
prevent the unintentional creation of street racing
circuits.

Educating parents on how to tell if their child is
involved in illegal street racing, including such cues
as particular spoiler and graphics designs on the
vehicle, engine work, changes to tires and wheels, an
in-car computer, a larger than normal tachometer, new
accessories and various window decals, as well as
excessive wear and repairs to brakes and clutches,
damage to engines and transmissions, and rapid wearing
of tires.

Partnering with legislators to enact laws or
ordinances that prohibit equipment specifically
designed for street racing, such as nitrous oxide on
passenger cars, trucks and motorcycles.

Working with legislators to enhance the penalties for
engaging or participating in street racing, especially
when crashes involving death or personal injury occur.


STREET LEGAL PROGRAM

TODAY THERE ARE 140 PARTICIPATING NHRA MEMBER TRACKS
ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, CANADA AND MEXICO. THE
FORMAT VARIES FROM TRACK TO TRACK, BUT MOST OFFER TIME
TRIALS AND GRUDGE RACING, ALLOWING RACERS TO CHOOSE
THEIR OWN COMPETITION.

SOME OF THE PENALTIES FOR STREET RACING:

You can be arrested.

If convicted of street racing or aiding and abetting a
street race, you can be fined.
Spectators are subject to penalties as well.

Your driver's license can be revoked.

Your car insurance may be cancelled or the rates
dramatically increased.

Cars in and around illegal street races are often
issued equipment violations.