The fourth installment of “The Fast and the Furious” earned $70 million at the box office last weekend.
The movie, which focuses on the world of illegal street racing, will likely prompt drivers around the country to test limits for their cars and the law.
San Diego is no exception and law enforcement officers around the county are on alert.
Eleven agencies are standing “shoulder to shoulder”, using money from a new grant to educate, enforce and intervene to stop illegal street racing.
The Office of Traffic Safety grant provides $600,000 to crack down on illegal street racing in San Diego County.
In just the first operation, held Friday April 3, officers wrote 94 citations. Some for modified emissions violations.
Modifying a car to perform well is one of the telltale signs to a passing police officer. The new grant will train 200 officers around the county to spot those adjustments quickly and easily.
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“Young men have wanted to drive fast cars for as long as there have been cars,” said Capt. Don Hunter with Chula Vista police.
To make their cars faster, some steal parts or even cars to fund their hobby, police said.
Officers across San Diego County use aircraft and monitor the Internet but catching racers before they race is tough. Racers have a sophisticated, informal network online where they advertise racing, and post results. With the use of mobile phones, the racers communicate quickly and easily and often leave the race site before officers can even get there.
Now, the agencies will work together to shut down the operation before they schedule the race.
Prosecutors vow to continue aggressive prosecution of those drivers who choose to race illegally. The county has filed more than 100 cases against illegal street racers last year with a conviction rate of 96 percent, according to San Diego County’s District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis.
The county impounds vehicles, suspends drivers license and is looking into crushing offenders’ cars as a way to curb illegal racing.
For those interested in racing legally, Race Legal just kicked off its new season Friday at Qualcomm Stadium.
