Street Racing, This isn't an "I beat that thread" Options

[darksecret]

I've noticed that since that d*** movie came out that everyone with a Corsica and an Autozone muffler feels they should race. Charlotte isn't a big city, about the size of Orlando or Baltimore, street racing has been around for decades here and most other places. My problem is that now that the population is growing faster than the city we have more people thinking they can race, now there are no rules to who can race what but when you're riding on a donut with a dry rotted tire, don't even try. In the real street racing world there are certain guidelines that are used to keep people safe and still have fun. I remeber seeing the NHRA street racing statistics, h*** I have them on my Desktop and they are the biggest crock i've ever seen. First it's outdated and they still try to use it, then the only big number they could provide were the citations. For the people who haven't seen these stats here they are and my opinions afterwards:

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. (135 fatal crashes related to street racing nationwide compared to the thousands that happen yearly)

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, more than 800 citations for illegal street racing were issued in 2001. (As stated above, the real big numbers)

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. (16 deaths causing street racing to be epidemic, during 2001 in Charlotte there were 10.4 murders per 100,000 people, the population was 546,000 then, but murder wasn't an epidemic)

In Florida in 2001, 7,216 citations were issued for racing on the highway. (above)

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. (It's sad to see fatalities but you must consider that many probably happen a night due to drunk driving)

According to the NHTSA, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 16 and 20. (Three words Motor Vehicle Accidents, not street racing related accidents, i'm 21 and could die crossing the street and that would be a motor vehicle accident)

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says 5,749 teens died in the United States from motor vehicle crash injuries in 1999. (Just like above not street racing accidents, and this comes from the IIHS, they will give big numbers to justify high premiums)

Nationwide statistics show that 49 people are injured for every 1,000 who participate in illegal street racing. (4.9% of participants get injured, i've had my hand slammed into a door at a race once)

I'm not here to condone street racing, the less the better IMO, but it shouldn't be treated like the worst thing since Polio and either learn to race at a track or somewhere else safe and keep it off the highway. I will say I race, i've been doing it for 5 years, I learned at the track and on a back road, it took me 1 wreck and a lot of practice to get where i'm at, I will also say that when I organize a race if you don't want to play by the rules leave because you won't run on my strip.

This post has been edited by darksecret: Apr 21, 2005 - 4:05 PM

[Supersprynt]

Tim you've honestly never shown someone on the high way or a road what the 2 can do?

I see alot of ppl preaching, and how many of you actually refrain from street racing? I dont go to a meet looking to race, nor do I do the stuff DK is talking about. I have however, shown some what the Celica can do. I dont prolong it, I know when not to, when to stop, where not to. Then again I've seen 50yr olds with twin turbo Chevelles doing way dumber things than I ever would.

Theres also another problem. Yes, the fact that there are no local tracks is an excuse, because the closest one to me, is over an hour away...and then you get 2 maybe 3 runs in because its packed. That doesnt fulfill the desire of everyone to hinder any less street racing.

My point is, its not going away, it never will. Its been around a helluva long time. I mean people used to race towards cliffs and see who was the last one to dive outta the car before it toppled over the edge. Rebel Without a Cause anyone? It happened.

If ur going to do it, do it as safe as possible. Its not safe at all, but try. Dont be stupid(er) than you already are. Im not denying I havent been stupid, but Im also not going to pretend that things are going to change.

This post has been edited by Supersprynt: Apr 21, 2005 - 8:47 PM