Street Racing/Drag Racing Question

Last Sunday evening, I was driving on the Southern State near the Meadowbrook and I saw two cars (one BMW convertible, one Mercedes both full of young people, from 18 to about 23) racing and swerving in and out of traffic.

They were going a such a high rate of speed and cutting in and out of traffic so frequently, I could not believe what I was watching.

I have seen this in the past on the Southern State and also on the Belt Parkway a number of times. I am wondering if there is some king of semi-organized street racing group on the south shore of Long Island. Does anyone know anything about this?

I think its something I would like to look into and raise with the media, county officials and the state police so any info I get here would be a helpful start.

ETA:
I guess what I am wondering is whether there is any money involved, and if so, who's responsible for making those "arrangements"?

Message edited 7/20/2010 4:57:37 PM.

Re: Street Racing/Drag Racing Question

I'm not sure if it's organized or not... but that's an interesting question. It's extremely scary. Any time I see something like that, I call the cops immediately with descriptions of the cars.

Re: Street Racing/Drag Racing Question

There are racing associations but I highly doubt the scene you witnessed was organized.


Interesting fact: Suffolk County Police department has a web link that you may use to report aggressive drivers. The SCPD will send a letter to the registered owner of the vehicle. A good way to let mom and dad know about "little jimmy's" dangerous driving.

http://www.co.suffolk.ny.us/police/roadsafety/default.aspx

--Salt

Message edited 7/20/2010 4:45:30 PM.

Re: Street Racing/Drag Racing Question

that used to be me when i was 17-20.... i can certainly tell you it is NOT organized... and very dangerous....

local police absolutely KNOW it goes on and there are severe consequences for those that get caught....

i personally know about 5 people who served jail time and 2 others that actually died from this....

media has always covered the major stories, and cops crack down for a few months after anything major hits the news but then the coverage dies out and so does the persistence of the police....

Re: Street Racing/Drag Racing Question

Message edited 7/20/2010 5:12:48 PM.

Re: Street Racing/Drag Racing Question

Re: Street Racing/Drag Racing Question

people swerving in and out is not organized racing. I know that there are strips where there are organized drag races on public streets, but none would be so dangerous as to swerve.

We need a drag strip to do this LEGALLY!

Re: Street Racing/Drag Racing Question

I found this article and while its about 10 years old, this is more along the lines of what I think goes on. Perhaps not what I saw the other day, but what I have seen on the Belt and Southern Parkway in the past makes me inclined to believe that there is something bigger going on here than boys being boys.


http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/2001/08/19/2001-08-19_raising_hell__risking_disast.html

Re: Street Racing/Drag Racing Question

DH owns a race engineering shop. Simply put he builds race cars. The majority of the cars are for track use, but we do get some kids (and I call the kids because they are usually 18-21) who are doing this on the street. DH has previously been in contact with local lawmakers and politicians to advocate the need for a track on Long Island where this can be done safely.

Legal drag racing at a track requires tons of safety provisions, licensing, etc because it is so dangerous even with the proper precautions. The kids you saw are just that, dumb kids who have no clue how fatal their actions can be to themselves and others around them.