Police impound the modified vehicles allegedly used for street racingThe one-kilometre stretch starting at the Norada junction along the Seria-Lumut highway has been a popular spot for illegal drag racing.
The police impounded seven modified cars during the weekend raid and about 20 people were booked for questioning and investigation, all in their mid 20s and early 30s.
Probationary Senior Inspector Md Ismail Abdullah led the operation with 13 other traffic police along the Seria-Lumut bypass.
The traffic police were deployed at four different locations to conduct surveillance from 11.15pm.
And based on their observation, the crowd started gathering at midnight and carried out a 500-metre sprint race along the highway. Thirty minutes after midnight, the police ambushed the crowd believed to be drivers and spectators.
Some of them tried to flee but police surrounded the area and blocked off all possible exit routes. The operation lasted over three hours. The crowd was escorted to the Belait police traffic branch office in Kampong Pandan.
Md Ismail said the illegal racers could face various charges under the Road Traffic Act such as participating in illegal racing under Section 37A (7) Road Traffic Investigation Chap 68, which carries a penalty of a minimum fine of $1,000 and maximum fine of $2,000 or more and jail term of up to six months and a fine of up to $2,000 and revoking of licences for a year for driving at break-neck speed.
Illegal racers could also be prosecuted for reckless or dangerous driving, which leads to a hefty fine of up to $10,000 and two years' jail term.
In addition to that, they could also be ticketed for illegal car modifications.
Police hope this stern action would serve as a deterrent to other street racing enthusiasts to put a stop to the illegal activity.
Md Ismail added that the thrill-seeking, adrenaline-pumping activity is rampant in the district and has grown immensely in the country over the years.
The traffic and investigations branch has conducted several operations to curb the activity in the past but unfortunately it failed to root out the menace.
One of the problems the police had encountered previously was lookouts the street racers were using to make a quick getaway. The lookout positioned outside the racing area would call on racers' cell phones or press MSN alerts to warn others when police arrive.
The police have received overwhelming complaints from the public due to the noise made by these cars zooming up and down the highway.
In addition, the activity endangers other road users and there are many instances of injuries and even deaths caused by street racing in other countries, said Md Ismail.
Street racing prompts illegal gathering of more than five people and also promotes unhealthy activities such as drinking and gambling.
He added that police would continue to enforce the law regarding this dangerous activity to make the streets safe for everyone.
p/s : Beware Underground Car...Juz Let Your Ride Stay In A Garage... ;D
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