General Definition of Street Racing

Street racing is an unsanctioned illegal race performed on public roads. Most races are in a drag-sprint format and can be well coordinated or spontaneous.

History

Street racing began in the 1930's during the prohibition when alcohol smugglers wanted to test their vehicles at ever increasing speeds.

Dangers

Street racing is extremely dangerous to anyone driving in the racing area, spectators, and to the racers themselves.

Related Problems

Street racing leads to increased levels of auto theft, gang activity, noise complaints, illegal gambling, road vandalism, insurance fraud, and trespassing.

Why Street Racing?

Many young people, most specifically aged 18-24, find street racing as a means to socialize with friends, and they look at it as an unsupervised activity outside of school, which they can take part in. Hollywood has glorified street racing in movies since the 1950's.

Scope

Illegal street racing has been reported as a problem in the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, England, France, New Zealand, and Turkey.

References

• Center for Problem Oriented Policing
• Evo Street Racing