TULSA -- Tulsa police officers are seeing a spike in illegal drag racing. Officers issued nearly 100 citations related to street racing in the past few weeks.
"When vehicles have certain modifications to them, we know why they’re there," said Officer Paul Madden with the Tulsa Police Department.
Burn out marks cover Port Road east of the Tulsa Zoo, a seemingly quiet two lane road turning into hot spots for illegal drag racing at night.
"There are so many spectators, drag racers, that they block employees from entering and exiting businesses in that area," said Officer Madden.
It's not only a concern for local businesses, but police say with speeds well over 100 miles an hour, it's obviously a safety issue.
"His vehicle broke, some type of driver malfunction, equipment malfunction, and he crossed the raised median, the grass median, and struck the vehicle head on and paralyzed that lady," said Officer Madden, referring to an accident he worked years ago.
It’s also ironic that just a few miles away from the illegal racing, there’s Tulsa Raceway Park that allows people to race in a safe and controlled environment.
"I could either tow your car and pay several fines and impound fees and all of those things, or pay ten dollars and go to the drag strip," said Officer Madden.
Officer Madden said a show called Street Outlaws used to film drag races in Tulsa, but a few years ago he along with another Tulsa captain petitioned the city council to stop issuing the filming permits for the show. He said because of Councilor David Patrick, they got it passed, but they're still seeing people gather in the middle of the night to race down the streets.
"I know fast cars are fun, I know a lot of strong cars are fun, but do it safe, do it right, and do it where you’re supposed to do it and I'll go watch," said Officer Madden.
Punishments can range from parking tickets from 30 to 60 dollars, vehicle confiscation, and drag racing tickets get you in front of a judge that will set the appropriate fines.
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