Why all the out cry over Street Racing?

[Corbic]

First. I'm not condoning it, nor am I expecting anyone else too. However, there seems to be a disproportionate media hype regarding street racing.

I just came back from TX2K17. One amazing event that most of the internet knows for the 1320 Street Racing videos.

Local Houston news was all in an uproar and there where several articles/reports about police increasing patrols and setting up stings. Apparently TX2K16 saw 8 arrests. Many areas are pushing laws to allow car seizures, huge fines, zero tolerance and jail time.

I find this all... bizarre. Looking for statistics, many current ones are unavailable.

However, one study shows between 1998-2001, there where 149,568 traffic deaths. A STAGGERING 315 where related to street racing (0.002%).

Another article cites -

Statistics on street racing accidents are difficult to find, likely because drivers don’t want to admit involvement. Additionally, as noted in a report published last fall in USA Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) recently changed their parameters for reporting on street racing. NHTSA data shows that 153 people died in 122 racing-related collisions in the U.S. from 2001 to 2010. This statistic only includes incidents where at least one driver was charged with illegal racing. Previously, the agency used a broader definition that (more accurately) included all crashes where investigators concluded that racing was involved. Under that framework, 1,047 people died in racing incidents from 2001 to 2008.

So here is the kicker - with all the zero tolerance and up roar, you'd think we have some epidemic. The reality is that 37,000 people die each year driving. Roughly 3,200 of those die because of cell-phone distractions. Additionally, 11,000 of those people die each year because of drunk driving. That rivals the gun violence statistics.

Anyway - done ranting.

 

[mustangvsix]

Same shit as gun bans/ar-15's are evil. Media tells the story that boost ratings and create click worthy headlines. In the case of street racing its dramatic, flashy, and makes a great scape goat.

 

[DHG1078]

How many people are injured or property is destroyed from street racing?

The problem with street racing is all the deaths, injuries, and damage caused as a result of it is 100% avoidable.

By all means, go out to some back country road where there are no intersections or people for miles and have at it. The problem is people choose to do it in busy roads with people.

 

[RDJ]

street racing is a stupid activity engaged in by single digit IQ idiots. there is no reason for it, and no excuses for it. you want to race take it to the track otherwise you get what you ask for when you wreck and you wind up in jail.

 

[R.D.P.]

As someone said - makes for good clickbait news stories, so they're going to push it. I remember a few years back seeing video from TX2K where they gave someone a 20 over ticket and let him go and he was doing 180. Doesn't sound like there was much of that this year.

 

[Corbic]

The problem with street racing is all the deaths, injuries, and damage caused as a result of it is 100% avoidable.

But that's true of almost 99% of accidents. Especially getting behind the wheel drunk or deciding to text and Facebook while driving.

 

[jeffh81]

At that rate they should ban cars and coffee

 

[SUPERVENOM03]

I see people driving and staring at their phones constantly. Distracted driving and drunk driving are the two major killers but they do not boost ratings for news outlets. I have always said to find a way to legally sanction in (shut down a strip of road) once a month and let people scratch their itch. Having to drive two hours to the closest 1/4 mile is a major pain and most on ramps are longer than 1/8 off a mile.

 

[KevSher20]

How many people are injured or property is destroyed from street racing?

The problem with street racing is all the deaths, injuries, and damage caused as a result of it is 100% avoidable.

By all means, go out to some back country road where there are no intersections or people for miles and have at it. The problem is people choose to do it in busy roads with people.

Drunk driving is 100% avoidable.


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[4a7191a]

I blame it all on fast and the furious.
Before those movies came out we had n awesome car hangout spot, and street races every weekend and in an area people could watch at a safe distance.
Cops would pull us over occasionally but give bs tickets or just be cool and ask what was under the hood.
Once that movie came out and the media pulled they're crap they slammed us. Went as far as to close the park at 9pm with trespassing warnings.
Thing about it in my opinion is , street racers arnt out drinking and driving. They're alert, worry more about the drunks leaving the bars at 2am.

 

[VerySneaky]

IDK, but if the we keep having these crowds hit with trucks, they're going to ban utility vehicles...right?

 

[Uncle Meat]

A Word from the NHRA

Consider the following stats from NHRA, compiled from a variety of national and state transportation agencies, and it's easy to see the answer is to take it to the track.

• 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.
  
  
• According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, more than 800 citations for illegal street racing were issued in 2001.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• In Florida in 2001, 7,216 citations were issued for racing on the highway.
  
  
• In 1999, the Florida Department of Highway and Safety for Motor Vehicles reported 28 accidents related to illegal street racing, with 2 fatalities and 27 injuries. In 2000, the agency reported 39 racing accidents, with 1 fatality and 55 injuries. In 2002, there were 48 racing accidents, 1 fatality, and 60 injuries.
  
  
• According to the NHTSA, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 16 and 20.
  
  
• The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says 5,749 teens died in the United States from motor vehicle crash injuries in 1999.
  
  
• Nationwide statistics show that 49 people are injured for every 1,000 who participate in illegal street racing.
  

 

[Corbic]

A Word from the NHRA

Consider the following stats from NHRA, compiled from a variety of national and state transportation agencies, and it's easy to see the answer is to take it to the track.

I see the opposite -

• 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 2001 lightning also killed 50 people. 42,196 people also died in car crashes. So 72 deaths is a statistical out layer.
  
  Also, in 2001, 40 people died "keeping it on the track" in auto sport related deaths.
  
  

  [*]According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, more than 800 citations for illegal street racing were issued in 2001.

  
  In 2001 20,530 people died from drunk driving. California had 177,056 DUI arrests and 136,794 convictions.
  
  

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

  
  Yes, and in 2001, California had 2,318 people under the age of 21 involved in a fatal drunk driving accident.
  
  
  

  [*]Nationwide statistics show that 49 people are injured for every 1,000 who participate in illegal street racing.

  
  I'm curious how that stat was made up. I've yet to see a report of anyone being injured during TX2K...

 

[AAG]

Local Houston news was all in an uproar and there where several articles/reports about police increasing patrols and setting up stings. Apparently TX2K16 saw 8 arrests. Many areas are pushing laws to allow car seizures, huge fines, zero tolerance and jail time.

Good. Houston has some the worst drivers I've ever encountered and having idiots racing on a highway with these same people who don't look before merging or switching lanes is just asking for trouble.

 

[VerySneaky]

First you must consider statistics. Street racing cannot be compared to drunk driving. Not everyone has a car they want to race, but they sure do have access to alcohol.
Consider the sample size vs population size. It can be without a doubt that the population of those who drink AND drive is greater than those who race from a dig on public roads. While the threat from drunk driving is greater to the population as a whole, it does not mean the risk of street racing is any less severe for those that do it. Street racing has an inherent risk of unpredictability, the same as DUI. When you're knocking on 140 and grammaw pulls out of a side street, what are you gonna do?

 

[VerySneaky]

Alternatively, the same argument can be made regarding guns for that matter. It's a matter of perception, availability, risk, and frequency of occurrence. (obviously the amount of accidents and fatalities caused by unsanctioned racing is a statistical outlier to the total population of vehicular failures, but it is still a risk nonetheless, same as the reasoning behind owning an AR-15, they only account for a sliver of the percentage of gun violence, but they are an easy target because they are perceived as a purposeful killer)

 

[Blk04L]

Dumbasses doing it in the wrong places and/or at the wrong times put a negative view of street racing. Doesn't help either that with security cameras and cell phones people post up everything. From racing wrecks to two guys going 150+ on the highway multiple times. With or without traffic.

Is it overblown? Probably. However, there are idiots out there that have that I got to race this guy next to me no matter how bad the traffic is. And even though I love fast cars, it pisses me off when I see two cars, no matter how nice, weave like F&F shit on the highway during the day.

I feel that distracted driving should have some heftier fines, but it's not always easy for the cops to spot. People who are going 100+ mph on the highway racing with other cars around, is however. Feel like jail time/impounding is extreme, depending on the situation.

A decade or so ago, the local Sheriffs/deputies knew that people were racing out at a very quiet highway, late at night, out where I lived. They didn't care as long as no truckers called in that people were blocking the highway or people were doing stupid shit at the close by meet at a grocery store. They would sometimes sit in the parking lot and just watch cars go out to the spot, and other times chat with the racers about the builds.

 

[Machdup1]

street racing is a stupid activity engaged in by single digit IQ idiots. there is no reason for it, and no excuses for it. you want to race take it to the track otherwise you get what you ask for when you wreck and you wind up in jail.

As usual, RDJ calls it like it is rather than how people want to deceive themselves something to be.

 

[JimCSHO]

Street racing compared to keeping it on the track has an inherent problem: unwilling participants. On the track everyone is there of their own volition, understand the risks, and agree to participate.

On the street, you have 2 willing participants and then you have everyone else using those streets for their intended purpose. Taking out someone who didn't know that you planned a high power, high speed, display is what causes the news coverage

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[colin450]

Maybe I'm just getting old but I have no reason to prove to some other idiot how fast my car is. Not trying to preach because I did do it a handful of times when I was younger, I like taking my car up to some higher speeds late at night on the highway if no one is around. But to have a race with another car or cars on a public street is stupid and pointless.