Dangers of Street Racing

Many people find it fun to race their cars on public streets. Unfortunately, this often leads to fatal crashes.

This is what recently happened in Texas. A street racing crash in Duncanville killed three people and seriously injured another person.

The two-vehicle crash occurred at West Wheatland Road and South Cedar Ridge Drive. The crash caused a Toyota Corolla to overturn on the sidewalk. Firefighters extracted four people from that vehicle. Two women died at the accident scene. Two boys, both 12 years old, were taken to hospital. One later died. The other boy remains in critical but stable condition.

The driver of the other vehicle, a Chrysler 300, was not injured. He was arrested and charged with four counts of racing on a highway, a second-degree felony.

Why Street Racing Is So Dangerous

Street racing on public roads is illegal in every state and can result in criminal penalties, even if no accident occurs. Street racing is also very dangerous. The dangers include:

• Risk to innocent motorists. Many victims of street racing crashes are not participants in the race. This was the case here. Other drivers, passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians can be seriously injured or killed when a racing vehicle loses control or ignores traffic laws.
• Excessive speed. Speed is one of the biggest factors in street racing crashes. Drivers often travel far above posted speed limits, leaving little time to react to traffic signals, road hazards, or unexpected movements by other vehicles. At higher speeds, even a minor mistake can result in a devastating collision.
• Reduced vehicle control. Street racers frequently make sudden lane changes, aggressive turns, and rapid accelerations. These maneuvers can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles, especially in poor weather conditions or on uneven road surfaces.
• Increased stopping distance. The faster a vehicle travels, the longer it takes to stop. During a street race, drivers may be unable to avoid collisions when traffic slows unexpectedly, a vehicle enters an intersection, or an obstacle appears in the roadway.

Victims of street racing accidents may suffer:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Broken bones
• Internal organ damage
• Severe burns
• Amputations
• Facial injuries and disfigurement
• Wrongful death

Because racing crashes often occur at extremely high speeds, injuries tend to be more severe than those seen in ordinary traffic accidents.

To reduce the risk of becoming involved in a street racing accident:

• Avoid engaging with aggressive drivers.
• Maintain a safe following distance.
• Report suspected street racing to law enforcement when safe to do so.
• Stay alert in areas known for illegal racing activity.
• Never attempt to compete with another driver on public roads.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

Street racing is a dangerous activity that can lead to serious or even fatal crashes.

A Houston car accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC can help you after suffering damages in a serious crash. We can advise you of your legal options. To schedule a consultation, fill out the online form or call (281) 347-3247.

Source:

fox4news.com/news/duncanville-street-racing-crash-w-wheatland-rd