The illegal street racing debate is something that pops up occasionally, often when it’s been the cause of a serious crash.
In 2005, seven people were injured when a car participating in an illegal race hit a group of spectators. Since then, Police in NSW have had the power to confiscate cars used in illegal races.
The subject arose once again recently; a couple were killed when their car was hit by two vehicles suspected of being raced illegally along the Great Western Highway.
Regardless of whether it was an organised street race or a spontaneous act of hooning ending in disaster, is this tragedy a one-off or does more need to be done about illegal street racing immediately?
Deterring illegal street racers
Queensland has increased its jail sentences for illegal racers from three to five years. If someone is killed as a result of street racing, the maximum sentence is 14 years – nearing the sentence for murder.
The punishments are lighter in NSW and include confiscation and impoundment of vehicle, loss of licence for twelve months and a maximum $2200 fine. According to NSW Police Minister David Campbell, more money is being spent on wheel clamps to immobilise cars used in illegal races. This has prompted the opposition to call for heavier penalties, including jail terms similar to those seen in QLD.
Will this deter drivers any more than the threat of having their car confiscated?
Street racing as a culture
Documentaries, computer games, websites and underground as well as Hollywood films have all covered the subject of illegal street racing. Evidently, street racing has a market.
It would be unfair to assume everybody interested in vehicle modification participates in illegal street racing. But does the modification of cars and street racing go hand in hand? If so, can anything be done to change this?
Legal races
There’s no doubt racing mates in a safe, official capacity on real tracks using proper timing equipment would be attractive to some young drivers, and, importantly, get it off the streets.
Wicked Wednesdays at Western Sydney International Dragways gives racing enthusiasts the opportunity to participate in off-street racing in a controlled and safe environment.
Similarly, Calder Park in Victoria also has popular off-street racing nights where races are held in conjunction with the police.
But interest in these legal races far outweighs availability. Different vehicle classes are run each week at Calder Park and the wait between class meets can be over a month.
Are these legal races a solution or is this another example of condoning a problem deemed too difficult to fix?
What, if anything, will minimise incidents of illegal street racing so we don’t only hear about it when it kills somebody?
No related posts.
I agree with needing more venues, the government has held back a proposal for a track out in the Jilliby area this is located right next to the free way. This would allow us to actually go ahead and race 3, 4 or 5 of our friends at once in safe controlled environment. The problem with Wicked Wednesdays at Western Sydney International Drag ways, it’s in Sydney and difficult to get there It also has a huge amount of reputation and a hell of a lot of cars go in the event meaning a lot more people miss out this leads them to illegal street racing to test there cars.
This is why i believe we need more controlled places or allow people to have private venues on there property but the dam stupid laws prohibit them.
This is off the topic a bit but relates in a way:
Also it’s really not fair that Red P’s are only allowed 1 passenger in the car, I can see the point that yes less people in the car at night means less people will get hurt in the short term but in the long run it’s hurting just as much. I have seen a situation where I was designated driver for a friend and 3 other people were left at a party with there cars, Personally I didn’t know them but I offered them a lift risking my license to stop 3 people from potentially killing them selves or others
I have just recently got my P plates an the real problem is that all my mates want to race on a closed circuit, but the problem is the fact that there are not enough drag strips and race tracks to go to to make it safe to race which menas where are they going to go…………….. you guessed it race on the streets
Now as i have just bought a 2010 Mitshibishi VRX Lancer. my mates are always up me to forge the pistons, put a exhaust on it etc. but i have the sense to say NO. But many people of my age don’t have the will power to say no to peer pressure. and that causes the problems. and i will be honest. if there were more race tracks then i would not hessitate going to the race track with my friends and fighting it out
On a Safe, Control Envoirment.
Now as The VRX Lancers Produce 125kw’s of power that is still a lot of power.
Also i have a comment to make about the licensing system.
I feel that (i live in Queensland) the hazzard test sSHOULD BE DONE EVEN BEFORE YOU GET YOUR P1. what is the sense in doing that test after you have been on the road for a year or more. and by not doing this test first up it menas that every P1 driver may not be to stardard to be on the road.
Thanks for letting me have my say
Regards Gordo from Queensland
I have seen people racing on the highways, i havent seen a problem with it usually it is late a night so there are nearly no cars on the road they slow down below the speed limit and race for a few hundred metres and given that its on the highway there is plenty of room to slow down and no one is going to pull out in front of you from a side street. The problem is when people race in built up areas Plain and simple.
I cannot believe some of the attitudes that are being broadcast on here. “Crush their cars”, “give them million dollar fines”, “send them to a concentration camp”. I do wonder where this country is leading. Fascism is obviously not far away. The fact that it looks as though Tony Abbott’s about to form government says it all.