Many of us have no doubt come across newspaper accounts of street racing taking place, with the inevitable consequences of injury or death to innocent bystanders. This article explores why street racing is dangerous and illegal.
STREET RACING IN CAPE TOWN
Street racers in Cape Town believe they are being victimised for their street racing. They maintain that the illegal sport is quite safe and that injuries are infrequent. Their ‘club’ has about 60 members. The reason given for not racing on formal race tracks is that officials charge for any event. In addition, traffic police are there, ready to arrest speedsters for illegal car modifications and speeding. Street racers say that they make sure that the street is safe and clear of any pedestrians. They said that there are never any accidents – well, almost never.
A LOCAL COUNCILLOR’S POINT OF VIEW
A local councillor was totally opposed to the whole idea of illegal street racing, saying that these racers keep on crashing into public structures such as concrete fencing. A lot of money is wasted to keep on repairing such destruction.
STREET RACERS BLOCK OFF ROADS
According to the councillor, people illegally block off roads for their street racing. This prevents other motorists from enjoying the freedom of the road. Street racers don’t do this for lack of space, because controlled racing areas have been offered to them and set aside for them.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DRAG RACING AND STREET RACING?
Drag racing is often confused with street racing. It’s legal because it is done under strict safety regulations, and with the required permits for the event.
WHAT INVOLVES ILLEGAL STREET RACING?
Street racing takes place on a public road without any written permission from a local authority. It involves two or more cars that race against each other. In addition, cars also spin in the road in circles, causing excessive noise, and smoke from burning tyres. In other situations, vehicles engage in ‘drifting,’ where the car travels at a certain speed and then starts to drift through sharp cornering. The final stage in street racing is when a group of street racing enthusiasts park their cars somewhere, to display their sound systems and various car modifications.
CAPE TOWN MUNICIPALITY OPPOSES STREET RACING
The Municipality has identified over 20 hot spots in Cape Town, and intervenes at least three times a week concerning this activity, especially early in the morning. If caught, drivers are arrested for reckless and negligent driving. The use of any modified cars is immediately suspended if they are not roadworthy. Owners are given two weeks to get their cars into a roadworthy condition.
THE PUBLIC’S REACTION
Local residents in various Cape Town suburbs are quick to phone their respective councillors even at 3 am in the morning to complain about the noise caused by street racing. Modified engines roaring away in normally quiet suburbs would be most disturbing.
ATTEMPTS TO CURB STREET RACING
In co-operation with Killarney Raceway, the City of Cape Town established in 2015 ‘Robot Racing’ events to reduce street racing activities. Although these events were well-attended, the whole initiative was unfortunately to no avail.
WHAT ABOUT STREET RACING IN PRETORIA?
Over the last few years in Pretoria, a few motorists have been killed during illegal street racing events. In an attempt to attract street racing enthusiasts off the streets of Pretoria, and reduce deaths, Motorsport-South Africa (MSA) launched a new legal street racing initiative. Normal, roadworthy and thus legal cars can be licensed for R200 for the entire year, and are provided with a safe racing and controlled environment. There is an official drag racing strip in each of the 9 Provinces. The project has the backing of Howard Denbovsky of the Justice Project.
The bottom line is that the law is the law. It is there to protect people, and not spoil their fun. If street racing, like any illegal activity, is condoned, where will it end? People’s lives are just too precious. Hopefully, alternative legal racing will replace street racing in the very near future. So, there are many dangers on our roads such as street racers, which is why you should drive carefully and consider getting car insurance.
Disclaimer:
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views and opinions of Prime Meridian Direct (Pty) Ltd, FSP41040.The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
Street racing is illegal, unsafe and expensive!! Drive at safe speeds and Share Roads Responsibly!! #ArriveAlive pic.twitter.com/my5Gm89Mow
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) June 6, 2018
