Street Racing is Crazy

I blogged yesterday about a horrible street racing accident in Big Cottonwood Canyon last Thursday night that critically injured a father and son. Since looking into that accident, I have discovered that such accidents are just the tip of the iceberg.

Street racing is illegal drag racing on public streets and can be unplanned and spontaneous, or elaborately coordinated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEr0la4gMiY

The biggest problem with street racing, however, is that often there are insufficient or no safety precautions taken like there are at official, sanctioned events. Common consequences include:

• Accidents resulting in injuries and deaths;
• Damage to private and public property including structures, vehicles and roadways; and
• Increased crime rates including carjackings and gang activities

The results of such lack of attention to safety can be dramatic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpIAXCCb0_M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKO3Aqd84o8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj1FNs1SJ6U

And the legal consequences can be serious:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oksTW4B7tSE

The bottom line is that if you have a need for speed, sign up for a sanctioned event and drive safely.