Street racing refers to a hazardous type of impulsive driving. It threatens the life of the person who is racing, and the people who are watching, other people on the road, and pedestrians. The high speed of the car is the biggest concern in street racing.
However, the racer’s irresponsible actions also cause danger, like twirling in between traffic or at stop signs, etc. According to reports, the injuries caused due to a street racing accident can be way more severe than those caused by other accidents because of the speed.
Also, if you have been a victim of an accident, you must approach Arash Law as soon as possible.
The danger associated with Street Racing
The list of hazards caused by street racing is never-ending, but here are some of the common risks that it has:
Overlooking the red lights
When you are racing at an uncontrollable speed, there are high chances of you missing or ignoring the red lights. You may find it a simple action, but it is a sign of danger for the masses. Ignoring the red light with your speeding vehicle will surely cause an accident and harm others and you.
Heavy rain
Going street racing while it’s raining is like consciously welcoming death. Out of all the dangers of street racing, heavy rain is the scariest of all. The rain disrupts your visuals, and the slippery roads make it quite apparent that you’re surely going to break your bones, along with ruining your vehicle.
Imprisonment
If you are caught during a street race, it will not end with just a simple warning. You might get a ticket that ranges between $355 to $1000, and in extreme situations, you can be sent to prison as well. The tenure of the arrest depends on your arrest’s happenstance, and in some cases, you might face lifelong imprisonment too.
Vehicle damage
If you decide to race in pothole season, you are inviting a severe problem for your vehicle. If driven at an unprecedented speed during the pothole season, you might lose control over your driving and meet with a severe accident. Which eventually means a broken car with an injured, or in some cases, the dead driver inside.
Vandalism
Even though it sounds unlikely, vandalism is also a possibility of street racing. People frequently gather in crowds to witness street racing. A slight change of the path or reckless driving leads to vandalism and littering. Hence, racers need to refrain from crowded areas, and for that matter, avoid street racing at all.
Expenditure
Along with the fees, street racers pay for subwoofers, nitrous oxide, and air intakes. You will have to bear the expenses of your damaged vehicle. Your car insurance will not save you if you have a ticket with points on your license, which is even worse in case of severe car accidents.
Road degradation
If you think that speed racing is only damaging your car and sometimes your life, you are missing out on something really crucial. Speed racing also causes wear and tear to the roads and highways. A broken road is a further invitation to more accidents.
Rollovers
Rollovers only come to our minds when we think about a sharp turn or curve. But they can occur in speed racing, especially if you are driving on damaged or potholed roads and during windy seasons.
Speed equals death
We have mentioned it throughout, and we would like to take a minute to let you know about the most significant danger of street racing. Speeding lets the vehicle’s braking distance increase, which implies that you have four times to stop the car. For example, if you’re driving 55 miles per and brake, you will only have six seconds before the vehicle ceases moving completely.
Therefore, if you don’t want to meet an untimely death, it is better to avoid reckless driving.
Danger to other people
Reckless street racing is not only harmful to the racers/drivers but also passengers and bystanders. There are multiple incidents where people on footpaths, drivers and passengers of vehicles not involved in races but in proximity of the same, have been killed due to the intense impact of a high-speed crash.
Wrong influence to the younger generation
Street racing is often streamed by racers on social media. Youngsters who are at a vulnerable age are often amazed it which influences them to do the same. As such, many teenagers get involved into reckless street racing while being underage which poses a great threat to their safety and well-being.
Danger to mass
Large numbers of people gather at the racing location to watch the event. A fun racing event can result into the injury and death of multiple in no time in case of any accident. How? If there’s a high impact crash or spin-out, flying debris can crush the audience injuring them along with racers inside the crash. On the other hand, there are also reported cases of burning gasoline and engine blasts that put the lives of many in danger.
Underestimating the dangers
Participants often underestimate the dangers associated with street racing. According to authorities, racers are mostly influenced by famous movies such as Fast and Furious, etc. These movies are highly unrealistic where the protagonists get away with miniscule injury and no legal intervention. However, that’s not the case in real life. In actuality, street racing is a huge threat to one’s own life as well others associated with them. Hence, it is imperative to be responsible and steer clear of the dangerous activity regardless of the adrenaline rush that it provides.
Is street racing illegal?
Yes, street racing is counted under criminal offence when
- It is done on a public road
- The racer spills oil/petrol to make the other driver lose traction.
- When it is done to intentionally cause harm to a vehicle.
- The traction engine is used in public, and without any requisite qualification for the same.
Conclusion
Being a part of street racing is dangerous, not just for the racers but also for the people surrounding it. Thus, it is best to stay away from it. If you have any further doubts, comment below. Stay connected with our site for more such awareness posts.
