Hong Kong motor racing belongs on circuit, not roads
- As police put brakes on illegal city races that endanger lives of others, the time has come for greater deterrents and Hong Kong’s own track
Police recently struck back against illegal road racers with a series of raids that led to the arrest of 16 men and the seizure of 13 vehicles. The operation, conducted last week by a special task force in the New Territories, was a welcome sign that authorities are trying to put the brakes on an activity that has taken a deadly toll for many years.
Officers seized a Lamborghini, a Porsche and two Teslas as well as several motorcycles linked to the illegal races on Route Twisk and through Yuen Long, where cars were seen straddling double white lines, travelling in the wrong direction of traffic and hitting speeds of more than 160km/h.
Those arrested range in age from 23 to 44 and include a merchant, mechanic and designer who face charges related to illegal racing, aiding and abetting unlawful street races and driving without third-party insurance.
There have been persistent calls for stronger action against such contests, which often play out overnight along lonely roads in the New Territories and sometimes urban highways. The police task force behind the latest operation was set up by the New Territories North crime unit in early 2022 after a series of at least six horrific crashes on Bride’s Pool Road in Tai Po claimed seven lives over two years.
Hong Kong police arrest 16, impound 13 vehicles in crackdown on illegal racing
Officers now regularly search for videos posted online by motorists who film themselves taking part in illegal races. Such images led to the arrest of eight people for racing near Deep Water Bay in September and another 10 in January in connection with races along Fanling Highway.
Patrols have also been stepped up in racing hotspots, including where the latest incident occurred.
As we have argued before, public and political support for stronger deterrents is needed. Penalties for illegal racing include up to a year in jail and a HK$10,000 (US$1,280) fine, which may not mean much to owners of expensive luxury sports cars.
The government is weighing up the prospect of building the city’s first motor racing circuit on Lantau Island, a move many see as a long overdue step towards developing motorsport here. Aspiring racers should support such efforts instead of denying legitimate users safe access to public roads.
