Street racing is uncool

Street racing has been around for decades. But much like other issues confronting teens today, such as bullying or drinking and driving, this one has big potential to end in tragedy.

Nowadays, street racing may be even more prevalent as we think because of the pandemic, but it doesn’t necessarily involve two or more cars racing in the streets to do street racing, contrary to what is stated in the House Bill 3391 or the Drag Racing Ban Act.  Reckless driving and overspeeding tickets are normally what street racers get caught for testing it out singly on public roads.

Beating the clock in something known as a “Quarter Mile” run is the most common form of street racing. The street racers tell us that it is seen as “cool” to drag race, and that young people (males especially) face a lot of peer pressure to participate. I’m not trying to pick on the young ones because there are adults too in this game.  But I think it’s the teens that are mostly aggressive with that “no-fear” attitude.

I was once in this kind of scene a few decades ago. I have seen street racing tragedies in the past.

I remember this one time, a drunk driver who was trying to “showboat” killed a couple on a motorcycle as they were on their way to the fish market at dawn.

So how then do we keep our teens out of street racing?  I was drawn to this scene for a while until we had legitimate races going, so I should know.  But I would say it never is easy to take these guys off racing in our streets.  It takes heightened awareness and preventative education, to stop teens from street racing.  This awareness always starts at home. 

We also need to make street Racing “uncool”. It’s easy to find news clips, articles in the internet about tragedies in street racing.  It’s essential to discuss these with your child and encourage him to imagine how the recent tragedies have grave consequences and how it affected the lives of the families involved.

Not all scare tactics will work though.  Pictures in the net are not that appalling to teens.  But nothing can make something more real and horrifying than seeing it right in front of you.  Trust me, I’ve seen one.  So to those you have children who are half baked about the idea of stopping street racing, bring them to one of those accident sites if you ever get the chance.

It is also important that you spend time with your child in his car. When he is behind the wheel, check on his bad habits. You may want to set your expectations, and identify clear consequences if these expectations are not met. At least, make it clear that driving has responsibilities. We as parents also need to set good examples. Simple things like chatting over the cellphone while driving or eating breakfast on the go. Why would your sons do it correctly when they see us do these? Remember, it all starts at home.

If your child is truly a car nut or a speed demon, enroll him in a racing school or a racing grassroot event.  In Cebu, there are numerous motorsports grassroots events that cater to different forms of racing. These are all held in controlled environments like the Kartzone Racetrack.  If you hook him up with the guys there, you’ll feel safer that he is in a proper racing community.