The Foolishly Fast and the Furiously Dangerous, Operation Hercules tackling illegal street racing

[Northwarks]

So West Mids Police have been cracking down on car cruising, it seems folks are just not listening so they are 'setting out their stall' with regard to car cruising and those that turn up to watch - 

 

https://trafficwmp.wordpress.com/2016/04/16/the-foolishly-fast-and-the-furiously-dangerous-operation-hercules-tackling-illegal-street-racing-2/

 

 

[Andy - a15cro]

Its a shame that a minority spoil it for the majority.

 

Back in the late 80's we used to meet up almost every night down at the sea front, have a laugh and a chat, bit of a run along the front. Watch the clowns 'performing', and occasionally a police car would drive round just to keep everyone in check, but it was not heavy handed. But then as the years moved forward and we had moved on, the younger replacements always wanted to push the envelope that bit further and turn the whole thing anti-social. Now about 26 years have passed, its a quitter place down there and a few of us decided to have a reunion last month, 7 were invited and around 30 turned up, everyone was well behaved, so much so that were doing it again this month! I wouldn't be interested in going to a 'cruise' its just looks like trouble in the making.

 

Without going on a rant, I believe that there is a distinct lack of 'fear of consequence' and respect for the law these days so the tough stance is the only way the police have to control situations. However, changing a steering wheel for a racing one is a personal choice and I believe should  not be prosecuted, surely its a freedom of choice, you know the risks if you have a bump! 

[Geoffrey Carter (Buttercup)]

I went to a "meet" about a month ago. I was in Buttercup and was with a number of other Westfield cars with me leading.

We went through a busy market town and around 5 or 6 modified cars were in front of me.

This made a long convoy of cars, all together in one group.

These cars were reving, tyre smoking, and snaking their rear ends all on the public highway whilst going through the town.

I wished at the time I cold have been somewhere else and it totally spoilt the day for me as I imagined that everyone thought we were with them.

[Kyle]

It is a shame that the minority ruin it for those of us who have or have had safely modified and correctly insured cars. I've actually been to a few of these "events" in years past in Brum and on the A38 but never taken part in any idiocy. I never saw an accident but a lot of stupid and reckless driving, a few near misses. It's surprising that you see everything from 1.2 Corsas to Ferraris, young kids to middle-aged men. I fully support strong police action for those persistently in the wrong.

[Northwarks]

I do think they pointed out that some are organised and have permission to be there - I guess 'breakfast clubs' spring to mind and not on the public highway. Worrying is the insurance company tip-offs, so they retrospectivly contact the insurers with the evidence and getting policies revoked for 'modifications'. I know from having a policy canceled for a bog standard unmodified WRX following a website error how tough it can be trying to get another policy once its on the database even when it was their error not mine.

 

Wonder how the conversation would go if I was stopped in the Westfield and asked it it was 'modified' seeing as no one car is the same and most 'modify' them in some way ...

[Rory's Dad]

A Plan always ask me if the Westy has been modified and I always say yes. The problem is that they have a script to follow.

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

And for those thinking of exploring Wales, the north in particular.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-36055774

[jeff oakley]

Well that really is a sledge hammer to crack a nut. The police already have enough power to deal with these people, but the big problem is now they are policing by popularity if it is easy. I think that many modified cars would be found to be legal, but they appear to be saying any modification from standard makes a car illegal if they want it to. So buy a set of Michelins, when it came with Pirellis and if you go to this extreme it is illegal.

 

Yes since time has been around there have been idiots, but this "big brother " approach seems too much and innocents will be dragged in. Imagine you happen to drive past a cruise site in your Westfield, innocently, according to this your car is now flagged on APNR as a vehicle of interest. I am sure many will say nothing to fear, but if you have done nothing wrong why should you be recorded as a person of interest?

 

If the police put as much effort into other things, like extremism, drunken behaviour, violence etc. that would be a much better use of the additional resource now being levied upon motoring and I for one would feel much better. The thing that drives this is as a driver you have an asset that can be sold to pay fines, a drunken chav has nothing so why do anything.

 

6 months for "Street racing" when no one was hurt, when we see the lenient sentences for violent crimes seems wrong.

 

The days of enthusiasts being able to drive without restrictions creeps ever nearer every day. It appears motoring is to be a means to get to work and provide an income stream for straying outside allowed dictates.

[dombanks]

sounds like there needs to be clear guidance on what is allowed etc?

"an altered exhaust or silencer will cost you £100 fine" what is altered and what is illegal? are you not allowed to do anything all of a sudden?

[BenD]

This has been a problem on one of the roads described in the link by me for a while big long dual carriageway with and island at either end. I'm into cars but some of the things that went on on there were mad bikes were the worst. But it does seems like there not even gonna give you a chance to explain yourself

[Ianboom]

I have CCTV footage of 22 illegal MX bikes, 9 of which were on the back wheel come past my house a few weeks ago. Not only was this obscenely dangerous, all 22 bikes had no insurance, tax or MOT. In fact, as they are MX bikes, they don't even have type approval.

2 quad bikes also followed them. These were 'road legal' but they are so noisy, you can hear them 1/2 a mile away as I often do dozens of times every week.

Shame they don't stop these and 'deal' with them.