Assignment Two

Background / Introduction
Bets are being made all around, hundreds of people are surrounding the starting line.
Your going to win, Im going to win, is what Brian says to himself before the start of a race.
He feels the immense pressure to win because in order to enter the race, he had to bet his car. He
checks his Nitrous Oxide System, engine, and tire pressure to make sure his vehicle is as ready
as he is. Other racers revv their engines to let the crowd know theyre ready. Once the signal is
given that the cops are nowhere near, the countdown begins to start the race. As soon as the
flagman waves his hands up, the racers step on the gas pedal and soar. Brian starts off in last
place but hes not worried, he uses his Nitrous Oxide System (NOS) although it has negative
effects on his car. Knowing that he used his NOS too early, a fellow racer takes this advantage to
get ahead which pushed Brian to second place at the finish line. The crowd cheers the winning
racer on by shouting and surrounding his car, he is handed thousands of dollars from bets made
but right before Brian can hand over his keys, the cops arrive, determined to arrest anyone within
the premises.
Brian is just one example of an illegal street racer, throughout the Fast and Furious
movies he is a glorified and praised symbol of the entire activity itself. We must understand that
although Brian, as well as the other racers in the movies, are putting out an incredible front about
the fun wonders and excitement of street racing, there are also dangers that come with it. The
films do not portray the severity of the effects that racing has on not only the racers, but all
others as well. Brian represents exactly what most believe illegal street racing is like, which is
not the case in the real world. He displays his dangerous racing tactics, constant escapes from the

police, and risky driving behavior as normal within the series. Whereas if this were the case for a
racer in real life, they most likely would not have had the same outcomes.
Before getting into details about this topic my personal opinion is an essential reason as
to why I choose not to completely gear towards one side of the argument, but look at the entire
picture as a whole. As someone with a strong love for cars, I can comprehend how one can feel a
love towards racing and the reasons behind illegal street racers resorting to making their own
race tracks within city streets and highways. For instance, while someone who adores watching
basketball can also find multiple places to practice and play the sport, people who enjoy
watching NASCAR races have more limited resources to practice doing what they love.
Although I can grasp the reasoning for street racing, I do not agree with the practice. This
activity is incredibly dangerous and puts countless amounts of innocent people at risk. Within
this paper, I plan to compare and contrast the Fast and Furious series spin on illegal street
racing as well as the effects it has on people in everyday life. This paper is also focused on the
dangers, wonders, relevant factors, and possible solutions that are associated with illegal street
racing.

Literature Review
This particular article describes a Revisit of the Birmingham approach to the study of
subcultures in an investigation into the Finnish phenomenon of street racing (Wieloch &
Vaaranen 2002). This articlemis geared towards the underground practice of engineering, illegal
street racing, and cruising on the streets of Helsinki. Writers, Wieloch and Vaaranen watch and
observe multiple illegal street racers to gain more information. The subjects they mainly focused
on where young, working class males. The social class that these specific young males where

mentioned as well. Writers describe how the Cruising Club Boys spent nine years in
comprehensive school, one to three years in vocational school, or they joined the labor market
right after comprehensive school. Many young street racers love to get together on street corners
to compare their cars and driving skills. This article also explains the statistics of accidents of
Finnish men and women as well as descriptions of dead engines, and broken down cars after car
crashes and wear and tare on vehicles. Knight, Cook, & Olson (2004) describe the annual
incidence of motor vehicle crashes due to street racing. They also describe the characteristics of
these crashes compared to other automobile crashes in the United States. Some information
gathered involved how street racing crashes were more likely to occur on urban roadways and
were about six times more likely to occur at speeds over sixty-five miles per hour. Street racers
were also more likely to be teenagers, male, and have previous crashes and driving violations.
Illegal street racing has become a problem for cities throughout the United States.
Researchers go into detail about how San Diego was the first city to pass a spectator ordinance
which made illegal street racing an arrestable offense (Worrall & Tibbetts 2007). Right
afterwards, a forfeiture ordinance was passed, which provides for forfeiture of vehicles used in
illegal street races. This forfeiture ordinance had the most effect on street racing, as well as a
drop in illegal street racing casualties due to both ordinances. I believe that if the rest of the
United States as well as other countries pass a Spector and forfeiture ordinance, there would be a
significant drop in illegal street racing around the world. Another way officials are trying to put
an end to illegal street racing is by raising awareness, For instance, in a new cast on CNN, they
describe how two people passed away after a street racer plowed through a crowd of spectators,
the racer left his car behind and left the scene of the crime declaring it a hit and run. The captain
at LAPD, John McMahon (2015) explained to viewers that this phenomenon is illegal and

dangerous, not only to themselves, but to others as well. A neighbor, Michael Groomsmen
described what exactly he notices when he hears street races nearby. Police at LAPD also explain
to viewers that it is important to let them know when these races begin so they can put an end to
them.
Watson, Leal, & Armstrong (2015) argue about how much illegal street racing has
increased in recent years not only in the United States, but Australia and Canada as well. They
discuss their specific studies which pertain to the riskiness of the involved drivers. One study
included 183 illegal street racing male drivers and their driving histories of illegal street racing in
Queensland, Australia versus a random sample of 183 male drivers in Queensland within the
same age group distribution. The group with the 183 male street racers was found with more
traffic infringements, license sanctions, and crashes than the comparison group. Kingham, Warn,
& Tranter (2004) trace the illegal street racing phenomenon throughout New Zealand and
Australia specifically because of the lack of research about the subject in those countries. They
investigate comparisons between the interests in motor sports and illegal street racing, and other
risky behaviors within a sample of young male drivers. They concluded that the motor sports had
a more direct influence on illegal street racing but also influenced risky driving behavior by the
influence of speeding. Within this Assignment One, I explain how exactly the figured world of
illegal street racing comes into play with the Fast and Furious movies. For example, during these
movies, there is a plethora of insight according to how the illegal street racers interact with the
cops, other racers, and family. This particular source includes specific points regarding illegal
street racing according to the what the actors portray in the movies, this includes how they got in
the positions they were in, how the subject of illegal street racing has had an impact on their
lives. Based on observation, the movies do not display the dangers of street racing, but rather

glorifies it, unlike the other recourses used that specifically explain the real dangers of illegal
street racing (Arnold, L 2015).

Entering the Conversation

The idea of illegal street racing is viewed by most as a fun and exciting activity. A huge
portion as to why so many view it this way is because of how the Fast and Furious movies
make it out to be. What the movies refuse to highlight are the reality of the risks that illegal street
racing comes with. It typically involves a younger crowd that conducts the events in un
underground way in order to avoid police attention and has risks of injury to ones self and others
(Peak, Glensor). Within the Fast and Furious movies I observed how the actor Brian especially
portrayed an perfect example of the life of a street racer (Arnold, L 2015). For instance, he has
been involved in countless street races throughout the movies, but has almost never lost a race,
gotten injured, or had any serious consequences relating to street racing. Time after time, the
actors in the movies are in major car accidents after racing at incredible speeds, that would
appear to have little to no effect on their well being when in reality the whole situation would
have taken a completely different turn.
Illegal street racing has received increased media attention in multiple cities, and even
other countries. Australia, Canada and the United States have all implemented laws to address
the issue. Street racing has increased internationally over the last decade, making it a concern for
millions of people around the world, especially those who live in big cities. In Australia, illegal
street racers meet at a central location and when enough people have gathered around, it is
decided who will race, and when the race will take place (Warn, J., Tranter, P., & Kingham, S
2004). Much like in Fast and Furious, the races in Australia can either be spontaneous in nature

or highly organized. Also similar to the movies, some people use walkie-talkies to communicate
when the police show up. Australian people have been known to also use police tape and false
signs to block off traffic for the duration of the race (Leal, Watson, Armstrong 2015). The
organized races are usually at night in industrial areas, or held in the middle of a highway. A
solution to this issue forming in Australia specifically would be to build more race tracks for
racers to race on. Instead of spending time organizing illegal events, these racers and illegal race
event organizers could schedule fundraisers to earn money for race tracks. Building these race
tracks can help keep the street races away from innocent commuters and into a secure
environment.
There are a plethora of related problems that street racing causes, those of which include
auto theft, assaults, vandalism, and even excess wear and tear on public streets. Many may
question as to why so many are attracted or drawn towards such a dangerous activity. What so
many of these street racers share in common is their shared love of cars and their adrenaline
cravings. Establishing a safe place for these adrenaline junkies to live out their fantasies is an
amazing way to get them off the streets and into a controlled environment. Another reason why
so many young racers are drawn to street races is because they give racers a place to show off
their vehicles and their driving abilities, as well as providing them and their passengers the
exhilaration of speed. They are even places that give friends a means to socialize in an
unsupervised environment. When giving racers a more guarded environment to fulfill the
pleasures of their activity, there is less likely a chance that other problems related to street racing
will occur. For example, auto theft, illicit gambling, and gang related activity (Peak, K., &
Glensor, R. 2015).

With such an incredibly dangerous activity comes officials attempting to end the
horseplay and keep citizens safe. For example, San Diego passed a spectator ordinance which
made illegal street racing an arrestable offence. They also passed a forfeiture ordinance which
provided the forfeiture of vehicles used in illegal street races. As far as putting an end to illegal
street racing, I believe that if the rest of the world were to pass these laws, there would be a
significant drop in illegal street races. What these officials are doing incorrectly, in my opinion,
is trying to completely eliminate the act itself rather than finding a middle point, or compromise
which gives these racers a place to do exactly what they love, to race. From a racers point of
view, if all of these laws are passed, racers would still have little to no places to hold their races.
Where as from an officials frame of reference, they view this activity almost solely as a reckless
sport that rebel teenagers partake in that is a nuisance and a danger to society.
There are a variety of solutions to illegal street racing that can work both in societies
favor as well as to the racers advantage. One solution would be to make certain areas, or places
safe for racers to race. Doing so will eliminate the importance of finding highways to block off,
or the need to race with traffic. An example of a solution for street racing is to have a certain
day each month as to which racers and race crowds can meet up at their local race track and
practice what they love to do in a controlled environment. This way, the head organizers for these
events can work with police to reduce and eventually eliminate illegal street racing. Associated
with the race, having a car show can give racers and others a chance to display and show off their
vehicles. Using this as well as having music from local bands and radio stations can attract
younger crowds, making it that much simpler to get young racers off the streets and into the race
tracks.

Conclusion / So What?
In recent years, illegal street racing has increased significantly, putting more lives at
stake. Police and other officials are doing their part to eliminate the danger, and racers are doing
what they can to continue doing what they love as well as staying away from handcuffs. I believe
that the situation is being handled in a way that isnt necessarily creating solutions for every
party. For example, how officials are arresting racers for racing on streets and passing ordinances
but the racers still dont have places to enjoy their hobbies. My contribution is to establish areas
that racers can get together and do what they love in safe environments, away from busy streets
and highways. My view on the subject contributes greatly not only to one side of the argument,
but both as equals. For instance, by having safe areas that racers can pursue their hobbies in gets
more and more of them off of the streets that innocent commuters drive on. People should care
immensely about this topic because it effects a wide variety of individuals. For instance, racers
have limited space to practice their love for racing where as police and other officials are doing
what they can to get racers off the streets and highways. Pedestrians and other drivers are not
completely safe when young racers are going at incredible speeds racing around them. By
gaining more knowledge in this area, we understand the reason as to why building a compromise
is so important to police, racers, and everyone in-between. The topic of illegal street racing is
incredibly important and there are still multiple areas that can be researched. Can having Car
shows, contests, and local radio stations help attract young racers off the streets and into safe,
organized racing events? Since the Fast and Furious series had such an effect as to how
viewers pictured street racing, could there be a movie of some sort to display how dangerous
street racing can really be? Contributing to these areas of research could help bring a plethora of
young racers off the streets and put many drivers out of harms way.

References
Arnold, L (2015, September 28th) Assignment One The Fast and the Furious Retrieved October
15, 2015
Knight, S., Cook, L., & Olson, L. (2004). The fast and the fatal: Street racing fatal crashes in the
United States. Retrieved October 14, 2015, from
http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/10/1/53.short
Leal, N., Watson, B., & Armstrong, K. (n.d.). Risky Driving or Risky Drivers? Retrieved October
15, 2015, from http://trrjournalonline.trb.org/doi/abs/10.3141/2182-03
Peak, K., & Glensor, R. (n.d.). Street Racing. Retrieved October 14, 2015, from
http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/pop/e10042575.pdf
Preuss, A. (2015, March 1). Alleged 'street racer' surrenders in fatal hit and run - CNN.com.
Retrieved October 16, 2015, from http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/01/us/california-streetracing-deaths/
Warn, J., Tranter, P., & Kingham, S. (2004). Fast and furious 3: Illegal street racing, sensation
seeking and risky driving behaviours in New Zealand - Transport Research International
Documentation - TRID. Retrieved October 15, 2015, from http://trid.trb.org/view.aspx?
id=770243
Wieloch, N., & Vaaranen, H. (2002). Car crashes and dead end careers: Leisure pursuits of the
Finnish subculture of the kortteliralli street racing. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
Worrall, J., & Tibbetts, S. (2007, February 18). Explaining San Diego's Decline in Illegal Street
Racing Casualties. Retrieved October 14, 2015, from
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07418820600985370