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Wednesday, 16 July 2008 |
Law enforcement officials warn of dangers of street racing
By KAREN CAMPBELL
Staff Writer
With state law enforcement reminding motorists of the dangers of street racing, local law enforcement members also are asking drivers to remember the repercussions.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol issued a warning to motorists this week after arrests were made in Delaware County this past weekend.
“Street racing is illegal and an extremely dangerous activity that can lead to death, injury and property damage,” an OSHP news release advised.
The OSHP news release also reminded motorists that anyone rendering assistance in any way to such competitive use of vehicles shall be equally charged as participants.
According to Ohio law, “street racing” is defined as the operation of two or more vehicles from a point side by side at accelerating speeds in a competitive attempt to out-distance each other or the operation of one or more vehicles over a common selected course, from the same point to the
same point, wherein timing is made of the participating vehicles involving competitive accelerations or speeds.
The warning stemmed from an incident on a 5-mile stretch of Interstate 71 on Saturday, according to a report from The New Philadelphia Times Reporter.
Nine cars were impounded and their drivers arrested on charges of misdemeanor street racing after setting up races through an online amateur racing message board. Twelve motorists were reported to have gotten away.
There were reports that the area had been used in the past as a drag strip, but this time the Patrol received a tip and was waiting, said Lt. Scott Carrico, commander of the Wapakoneta Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
He said the local post hasn’t handled any incidents of street racing in a long time, but burnouts on roads indicate there is at least hot rodding in the area.
“There appears that at some point in time there has been some type of racing or kids messing around on these rural, straight stretches of county roads,” Carrico said.
He encouraged anyone who may know of any racing or who sees anything to call and report it.
“There are areas we watch,” Carrico said. “A lot of people don’t think about the possible long term consequences or effects if there’s a crash.
“If they’re caught, yeah, it’s a misdemeanor — but what happens if there’s an accident and they run someone off the road?” he said. “That could go a number of ways from civil liability to vehicular homicide. At times a vehicle is considered a deadly weapon and it could affect them for a lifetime.”
Sheriff Al Solomon said his deputies have seen racing on county roads, but there haven’t been as many reports as in the past.
He said he hopes that can be attributed to a better presence of law enforcement in those areas and better education of young motorists, but he also thinks some of it can be attributed to rural areas becoming more populated.
“We know some still do it and sometimes we come across it while on patrol but we really depend on witnesses to help us with this,” Solomon said. “The racing is usually done by inexperienced drivers who are going at a high rate of speed and are not experienced enough to handle a car that fast. Traffic coming at an intersection may not be aware of what’s going on and it could easily result in loss of life.”
Street racing is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable with a fine as high as $1,000, as many as 6 months in jail and a license suspension for up to three years.
Through 2005 to 2007 statewide, 95 motorists were arrested for street racing by OSHP troopers. Through June of this year the Patrol has arrested 22.
Motorists who observe street racing on roadways are urged to call the Patrol at 1-877-7-PATROL to report this activity.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 17 July 2008 )
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