Police to target illegal road racing
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Police has commenced a two-week territory-wide operation starting on yesterday (October 31) to crack down on illegal road racing activities.

"Operation Fossington" to be conducted in all regions, and coinciding with the Macau Grand Prix in mid-November, will target illegal road racing activities and other undesirable driving behaviour such as speeding, dangerous or careless driving, jumping traffic lights, failing to comply with traffic signals, vehicle modification, and failing to wear seat belt.

In the first day of the operation, police has arrested five persons for committing traffic offences, detained eight vehicles for examination and issued two summonses and 85 Fixed Penalty Tickets.

Police have always been concerned about the problem of illegal road racing. In 2006, 2007 and the first six months of 2008, Police carried out 411, 369, and 161 operations against illegal road racing, and prosecuted 7916, 9167, and 5042 people respectively.

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

"The Police will not tolerate illegal road racing on the roads and expressways across Hong Kong. We will continue to carry out enforcement operations against illegal road 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 road racing activities. Those who 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 road racing activities,"

The spokesman said that those drivers convicted on illegal road racing are liable for imprisonment and disqualification of their driving licenses.

In 2006, 2007 and the first six months of 2008, the Police received 351, 497, and 199 complaints involving illegal road racing. Of these, 75 cases were confirmed.

People with any information about such activities are encouraged to report to the Police.

Police Report No.2
Issued by PPRB

End/Saturday, November 01, 2008
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