Police to target illegal motor racing

Police will mount a three-week territory-wide operation starting from tomorrow (November 9) to crack down on illegal motor racing activities.

"Operation Fossington" to be conducted in all regions, and coinciding with the Macau Grand Prix in mid-November, will target illegal motor racing activities but will also cover various undesirable driving behaviour such as speeding, dangerous or careless driving, failing to comply with traffic signals and vehicle modification.

Police have always been concerned about the problem of illegal motor racing. In 2004, 2005, 2006 and the first nine months in 2007, Police carried out 604, 462, 411 and 261 operations against illegal motor racing, and prosecuted 8,855, 5,596, 7,916 and 4,498 people respectively.

"Depending on the circumstances and evidence of each case, these persons were charged with illegal motor racing, dangerous driving, careless driving or speeding, and the majority was convicted and penalised," a Police spokesman said.

"The Police will not tolerate illegal motor racing on the roads and expressways across Hong Kong. We will continue to carry out enforcement operations against illegal motor racing through the collection of intelligence and strategic planning as well as reviewing the effectiveness of operations with a view to more effectively fight this illegal and dangerous driving behaviour," the spokesman said.

People are urged not to participate in illegal motor racing activities. Those who do take part could be seriously injured or even killed. Their irresponsible acts could also endanger other road users.

"The road system in Hong Kong simply means there is no room for such dangerous racing and joyriding activities. The safety of drivers and other road users is of paramount importance," he said.

"To ensure that roads in Hong Kong are safe for everybody, officers will track down those who have no regard for other people's safety nor their own lives, especially those engaged in illegal motor racing activities,"

The spokesman said the maximum penalty for illegal motor racing was a $10,000 fine and 12 months' imprisonment. Any driver who is convicted of the offence shall also be disqualified from driving for 12 months.

In 2004, 2005 and 2006, the Police received 330, 319 and 351 complaints involving illegal motor racing. Of these, 164 cases were confirmed. Already this year there have been 374 complaints, of which 15 cases were confirmed.

People with specific information about such activities, are encouraged to call the hotline on 3661 1300.


Police Report No. 3
Issued by PPRB

Ends/Thursday, November 8, 2007