Illegal Street Racing Surges Across Major Highways

Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) Director, Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri, revealed recently that several highways are favoured by illegal street racers.

Amongst them are the Federal Highway, West Coast Expressway (WCE), Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE), North-South Expressway (Plus), and Kajang-Seremban Expressway (LEKAS) and East Coast Expressway (LPT2). These were identified by JSPT as hotspots playing host to illegal street racing activities.

According to Yusri, in 2023, there were 2,241 arrests made nationally by the authorities and as of July of this year, 1,122 arrests have been reported. This clearly indicates that the number of arrests this year may exceed that of the previous year.

He added that young Malaysians between the ages of 16 and 35 make up the majority of offenders. They are lured to illicit racing by peer pressure, the desire to try something new, and the influence of social media. Additionally, most of these offenders are from troubled homes.

Furthermore, the accessibility of affordable aftermarket performance parts and accessories - loud pipes, skinny profile tires, and more -  that do not adhere to safety regulations is another problem.

These illegal racers often select less-travelled roads and use friends as lookouts to alert them of police presence. In addition, social media has become a primary tool for racers to coordinate their races.

"It is difficult for us to stay up to date with their movements because of their ability to organise races covertly through social media platforms," Yusri commented. The JSPT has intensified its attempts to stop illegal racing through Ops Didik, Ops Samseng Jalanan and Ops Motosikal.

Street racing and reckless driving is punishable under the Road Transport Act 1987. 

Source: New Straits Times