Street Racing Research Articles

Alterações dos níveis séricos de creatinina, ácido úrico, creatina kinase e da taxa de filtração glomerular em corredores de “rua”

The strategies adopted by street runners during races are influenced by the distance of the race as well as the technical and physical condition levels of the runners. The objective of this study was to examine the biochemical effects of Creatinine (C), Uric Acid (UA), Creatine Kinase (CK), and of the Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) caused by a 6-kilometer street race. The participants (n=15) were all male athletes (40.53±8.65 years) and were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 Best Times (G1MT) n=5, Group 2 Intermediate Times (G2TI) n=5, Group 3 Worst Times (G3PT) n=5. Blood samples were collected 30 minutes before and immediately after the race. The data was analyzed by Two-Way ANOVA, Wilcoxon, and Mann Whitney. Significant levels were considered as (p<0.05). The results showed that there were significant intragroup increases in serum activities of (C) in G1MT pre: 1.18±0.04 mg.dL-¹ post: 1.60±0.15 mg.dL-¹; G2TI pre: 1.04±0.15 mg.dL-¹ post: 1.56±0.21 mg.dL-¹; G3PT pre 1.08±0.13 mg.dL-¹ post 1.52±0.32 mg.dL-¹, and in (AU) G1MT pre: 3.80±0.75 mg.dL-¹ post 4.56±0.94 mg.dL-¹; G2TI pre 4.36±1.62 mg.dL-¹ post 5.0±1.69 mg.dL-¹; G3PT pre 4.62±1.08 mg.dL-¹ post: 5.42±0.86 mg.dL-¹, while CK and GFR did not show any significant difference.

Street racing video games and risk-taking driving: An Internet survey of automobile enthusiasts

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among risky driving attitudes, self-perceptions as a risky driver, playing of “drive’em up” (which rewarded players for frequent traffic and other violations) and “circuit” racing video games as well as self-reported risky driving through a web-based survey of car and racing club members in relation to a socio-cognitive model of the effects of racing video game playing. MethodAn Internet questionnaire was developed and included: (1) self-perceptions as a risky driver scales (Driver Thrill Seeking and Competitive Attitude Toward Driving); (2) attitudes regarding street racing; (3) street racing video game playing, and (4) self-reported risky driving (Risk-Taking Driving Scale). A sequential logistic regression was performed entering age and driving exposure as control variables in the first block, self-perceptions as a risky driver in the second block, attitudes in the third block and playing “drive’em up” and “circuit” racing games in the last block to examine their effects on self-reported risk-taking driving. ResultsA total of 503 survey respondents were included in the analyses and only 20% reported any risk-taking driving. Higher score on the Competitive Attitude Toward Driving Scale, more positive attitudes toward street racing, and more frequent reported playing of “drive’em up” video games were associated with higher odds on the self-reported Risk-Taking Driving Scale. However, the Driver Thrill Seeking Scale and “circuit” video game playing failed to predict self-reported risk-taking driving. ConclusionsSelf-perceptions as a risky driver, positive attitudes toward risky driving and “drive’em up” street-racing games, but not “circuit” racing games, are associated with increased risk-taking driving. These findings are congruent with experimental studies in which games that reward driving violations increased risk taking, suggesting that risk taking may be a function of type of street racing game played by affecting self-perceptions as a risky driver.

Prevalência e fatores associados a lesões em corredores amadores de rua do município de Belo Horizonte, MG

INTRODUÇÃO: A prática da corrida de rua tem aumentado nos últimos anos, tanto por sua facilidade quanto pelo baixo custo envolvido. Essa prática, todavia, envolve risco de lesões musculoesqueléticas. OBJETIVO: Verificar a prevalência de lesões osteomioarticulares e analisar os fatores associados em corredores de rua amadores de Belo Horizonte, MG. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo observacional do tipo transversal. A seleção da amostra foi por conveniência. Participaram da pesquisa 100 atletas amadores com pelo menos três meses de prática de corrida com frequência mínima de duas vezes por semana. Foram coletados os dados referentes à prevalência de lesões e os fatores associados através de um questionário estruturado. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de lesões entre os atletas foi de 40%. Dentre os fatores associados à lesão destacam-se a distância média diária e a variação no volume do treinamento. CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de lesões em corredores amadores é considerável, apesar de ter sido relatada por menos da metade dos participantes. As características do treinamento podem desencadear lesões e devem ser analisadas com cautela para que a corrida seja realizada de forma segura.

Gender and Motivations for Street Racing in Malaysia

The purpose of this study was to identify social, economic, and psychological factors in street racing in Malaysia. The study also assessed gender differences in terms of the causes of participation in street racing, and the street racers’ personality in terms of spiritual well-being, self-efficacy, and self-esteem. A snowball sample of 122 street racers (males, n= 99 , Mean age = 21.52 , SD= 4.25; females, n= 23 , Mean age = 19.22 , SD= 2.47) responded to self-tailored questionnaires and existing scales. For female racers, ‘family violence’, ‘parental conflict’, and ‘parenting style’ were the major familial factors leading to street racing. In case of male racers, ‘parenting style’ and ‘relationship with family members’ were the main causes of street racing. A sizeable percentage of male racers and female racers identified ‘social contact with the street racers’, ‘learned attitudes which encourage street racing’, ‘mass media and peer influences’ as causes of street racing. Both groups of respondents cited ‘social pressure’, ‘social labelling’, ‘social isolation’, ‘opportunities for joining street racing’, ‘limited surveillance of authority’, and ‘limited recreational and sports facilities’ as reasons for involvement in street racing. In terms of psychological factors, considerable percentage of male racers and female racers reported ‘self-image’, ‘desire for recognition and attention’, ‘escape from social-psychological stress’, and ‘self-actualisation’ as important factors leading to street racing. Unemployment was found to be one important reason for street racing almost equally by both the groups. Significant differences in mean spiritual well-being and self-efficacy scores of male racers and female racers did not exist. However, male racers obtained significantly higher mean self-esteem score than female racers. Keywords: street racing, psycho-social, economic, spiritual well-being, self-esteem, self-efficacy

Factors Associated with Illegal Motorcycle Street Racing and Help-Seeking Intention

The study aimed to identify the factors associated with street racing among the illegal motorcycle racers in Malaysia also known as the Mat Rempit, and their help-seeking intention. A total of 2,022 Mat Rempit were surveyed. The findings support the notion that experience-seeking, prestige-seeking, excitement-seeking, self-satisfaction, underestimate risk, and social influence were factors influencing illegal motorcycle street racing. The overall intention to seek help was extremely low. The majority (77.9%) reported that they would solve the problem themselves and 75.5% thought that illegal street racing is not big deal and would go away in time. Participants with neither (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.27–0.62) or at least one parent who is strict (OR 0.52; 95% 0.37–0.73) were less likely to have high help-seeking intention than those with both parents who are strict. Study indicates a need for family-centered intervention to curb illegal street racing.

Is there a link between street racing and mental health?

Is there a link between street racing and mental health?

Psychological effects of risk glorification in the media: Towards an integrative view

Media contents that glorify risk-taking (e.g., video games that simulate illegal street racing, TV depictions of dangerous extreme sports or stunts) are becoming increasingly popular. Theory and research suggest that risk glorification is associated with risk-taking among the audience. Until recently the evidence was limited in three ways: First, most studies, being correlational, did not permit clear causal inferences. Second, we did not know the strength of the effect of different types of media and different types of risk-taking outcomes. Third, early research did little to isolate the underlying psychological processes that mediate the pernicious effects of risk glorifying media formats. In order to address these open questions we review the results of an experimental programme of research and the findings of a comprehensive meta-analysis. The main findings are that (a) the risky media contents do indeed have causal force; (b) according to our meta-analysis active participation in risk glorifying media interfaces has a larger effect than passive consumption; (c) psychological processes include the priming of risk-related constructs, effects of risk-positive situational heuristic cues, perceived social norms, personal risk habituation, and changes in the recipient's self-concept. To integrate these findings we propose a theoretical framework derived from broad-range socio-cognitive models. We conclude with a discussion of possible directions for future research.

Blue-Collar Creativity: Reframing Custom-Car Culture in the Imperilled Industrial City

This paper hitches a ride with young car enthusiasts to explore how their vehicles catalyse a unique form of vernacular creativity, in a seemingly imperilled industrial city setting. While television and print media regularly demonise young drivers for street racing and ‘hoon’ behaviour, this paper purposely adopts a different perspective, on circuits of production and qualitative aspects of the urban custom-car design scene that constitute forms of vernacular creativity. Beyond moral panics little is known about movements, networks, and linkages between custom cars, young enthusiasts, and urban spaces from which their activities emerge. Utilising responsive, in-depth ethnographic methods in Wollongong, Australia, this paper interprets custom-car design as vernacular creativity, valued by young people and located across unassuming and unheralded urban spaces. The possibility that custom-car designers possess skills that are assets for ‘blue-collar’ industrial cities is contrasted against a backdrop of wider discourses depicting such cities as economically vulnerable, as ‘victims' of restructuring—and even ‘uncreative’. Insights relevant to future research on the politics of planning, creative industries, and class identities are also discussed.

Prevalence and Correlates of Street Racing Among Ontario High School Students

Objectives: This study examined the prevalence and correlates of street racing among adolescents derived from the 2009 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS), an epidemiological survey of students in Ontario, Canada. Methods: The key response variable, self-reported street racing in past year, was examined in relation to grade level, rural/urban, school marks, cannabis use, drinking and driving, cannabis use and driving, and property, physical, drugs, and weapons delinquencies. All survey estimates were weighted, and variance and statistical tests were corrected for the complex sampling design. Results: Of the 3053 9th- to 12th-graders (66% response rate), 5.6 percent of high-schoolers (an estimated 42,000 in the province) and (20.4% of grade 11 and 12 students with an advanced-level or full license) reported driving a car, truck, or sport utility vehicle (SUV) in a street race in the 12 months before the survey. Logistic regression analysis of the advanced-level or fully licensed students in grades 11 and 12 found that males compared to females and students in grade 11 compared to students in grade 12 had significantly higher adjusted odds of street racing. Supportive of problem behavior theory, students who reported property and drug delinquencies compared to students not engaging in these delinquencies also had significantly higher adjusted odds of street racing. Conclusions: This first population-based study in North America suggested that the prevalence of street racing at 1 in 5 of advanced or fully licensed high-schoolers in grades 11 and 12 poses significant public health concerns, especially related to the potential for unintentional injury.

Preliminary results for street racing among adults in Ontario: relations to alcohol and cannabis use.

Street racing has a long history, dating back to the 1920s shortly after cars became cheap, plentiful and available to the masses. Many movies and songs idolize street racers, e.g., “Rebel Without a Cause” and “The Fast and the Furious”. There have been several recent instances where street racers or innocent bystanders have been fatally injured. Street racing is now a problem in countries worldwide, with deaths and injuries reported in many.1,2 However, little is known about the factors associated with this behaviour. We examined street racing and its links to various alcohol and cannabis measures among adults in Ontario. We employed data from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Monitor (CM), a general population telephone survey conducted in Ontario (January 2009 to December 2010). The survey consists of a representative sample of adults (aged 18 and older) who were asked if they had driven a car, truck or SUV in a street race in the previous 12 months (N=4,273).3 Demographic and substance use measures were also collected in the survey. Results from preliminary analyses (see Table 1) revealed that the prevalence of self-reported street racing within the previous year was 1.0%, and was significantly related to sex, age, alcohol problems (8+ on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, AUDIT), heavy drinking (monthly drinking of 5+ drinks on one occasion), cannabis use and drinking driving. Street racing was most commonly reported by males between the ages of 18 and 34 (4.5%, 95% CI 2.5-7.9), drinking drivers (5.5%), respondents with an alcohol problem (3.0%), respondents who used cannabis in the previous 12 months (3.0%), and heavy drinkers (1.9%). It was found that, compared to non-racers, those who engaged in street racing were five times as likely to have alcohol problems, seven times as likely to drink and drive and four times as likely to use cannabis. This study suggests that heavy drinking, alcohol problems, cannabis use and drinking driving are associated with street racing among adults. These characteristics are similar to those found for aggressive driving, road rage and other types of dangerous driving.4-6 The results given here are preliminary as they are not based on a large sample of street racers but rather a large sample of the population. Further studies are needed to extend and amplify these results, however in the meantime it appears that street racing is associated with both alcohol and other drug use in high-risk drivers.

Preliminary Results for Street Racing Among Adults in Ontario: Relations to Alcohol and Cannabis Use

Preliminary Results for Street Racing Among Adults in Ontario: Relations to Alcohol and Cannabis Use

Socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics of illegal motorcycle street racers in Malaysia

BackgroundThis study sought to understand the factors associated with street racing among the illegal motorcycle racers in Malaysia or known as the "Mat Rempit".MethodsStreet outreach interviewer-administered surveys were conducted from June 2008 to January 2009 in this multi-state study.ResultsA total of 2022 participants were surveyed, the mean ± SD age of the participants was 20.5 ± 3.4 years (age range: 12 to 35 years). Mean duration of street racing was 2.65(SD ± 1.77) years (range: 2 months to 12 years), with 50.1% and 35.8% reporting stunt riding and alcohol drinking while racing, respectively. With regard to risk behaviours, cigarette smoking was highly prevalent among the study participants (78.3%), followed by alcohol drinking (27.8%) and recreational drug use (18.8%). Participants scored high on the masculinity scale (15.7 ± 4.0 out of 21.0). The results of the logistic regression analysis showed that socio-demographic variables, risk behaviour and masculinity scores were associated with racing frequency.ConclusionGiven these associations, tailoring family-centered interventions to the needs of the lower socio-economic groups and interventions recognizing the negative consequences of health risk behaviours related to street racing as an expression of traditional masculinity should be emphasized.

The road safety implications of illegal street racing and associated risky driving behaviours: An analysis of offences and offenders

The purpose of this study was to explore the road safety implications of illegal street racing and associated risky driving behaviours. This issue was considered in two ways: Phase 1 examined the descriptions of 848 illegal street racing and associated risky driving offences that occurred in Queensland, Australia, in order to estimate the risk associated with these behaviours; and Phase 2 examined the traffic and crash histories of the 802 male offenders involved in these offences, and compared them to those of an age-matched comparison group, in order to examine the risk associated with the driver. It was found in Phase 1 that only 3.7% of these offences resulted in a crash (none of which were fatal), and that these crashes tended to be single-vehicle crashes where the driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with a fixed object. Phase 2 found that the offender sample had significantly more traffic infringements, licence sanctions and crashes in the previous three years than the comparison group. It was concluded that while only a small proportion of racing and associated offences result in a crash, these offenders appear to be generally risky drivers that warrant special attention.

Risk‐Taking and the Media

In recent years, media formats with risk-glorifying content, such as video games that simulate illegal street racing ("bang and crash" games), films about extreme sports, and risky stunts have emerged as top sellers of the media industry. A variety of recent studies conducted by several researchers revealed that exposure to risk-glorifying media content (e.g., video games that simulate reckless driving, smoking and drinking in movies, or depictions that glorify extreme sports) increases the likelihood that recipients will show increased levels of risk-taking inclinations and behaviors. The present article (1) reviews the latest research on the detrimental impact of risk-glorifying media on risk-taking inclinations (cognitions, emotions, behaviors), (2) puts these findings in the theoretical context of recent sociocognitive models on media effects, and (3) makes suggestions to science and policymakers on how to deal with these effects in the future.

The prevalence and characteristics of self-reported dangerous driving behaviours among a young cohort

Background: Young motorists engaging in anti-social and often dangerous driving manoeuvres (which is often referred to as “hooning” within Australia) is an increasing road safety problem. While anecdotal evidence suggests that such behaviour is positively linked with crash involvement, researchers have yet to examine whether younger drivers who deliberately break road rules and drive in an erratic manner (usually with peers) are in fact over represented in crash statistics. This paper outlines research that aimed to identify the characteristics of individuals most likely to engaging in hooning behaviours, as well as examine the frequency of such driving behaviours and if such activity is linked with self-reported crash involvement.---------- Methods: A total of 717 young drivers in Queensland voluntarily completed a questionnaire to investigate their driving behaviour and crash history.---------- Results: Quantitative analysis of the data revealed that almost half the sample reported engaging in some form of “hooning” behaviour at least once in their lifetime, although only 4% indicated heavy participation in the behaviour e.g., >50 times. Street racing was the most common activity reported by participants followed by “drifting” and then “burnouts”. Logistic regression analysis indicated that being younger and a male was predictive of reporting such anti-social driving behaviours, and importantly, a trend was identified between such behaviour and self-reported crash involvement.---------- Conclusions: This research provides preliminary evidence that younger male drivers are more likely to engage in dangerous driving behaviours, which ultimately may prove to increase their overall risk of becoming involved in a crash. This paper will further outline the study findings in regards to current enforcement efforts to deter such driving activity as well as provide direction for future research efforts in this area.---------- Research highlights: ► The self-reported driving behaviours of 717 younger Queensland drivers were examined to investigate the relationship between deliberately breaking road rules and self-reported crash involvement. ► Younger male drivers were most likely to engage in such aberrant driving behaviours and a trend was identified between such behaviour and self-reported crash involvement.

Risky Driving or Risky Drivers?

Illegal street racing has received increased attention in recent years from road safety professionals and the media as jurisdictions in Australia, Canada, and the United States have implemented laws to address the problem, which primarily involves young male drivers. Although some evidence suggests that the prevalence of illegal street racing is increasing, obtaining accurate estimates of the crash risk of this behavior is difficult because of limitations in official data sources. Although crash risk can be explored by examining the proportion of incidents of street racing that result in crashes, or the proportion of all crashes that involve street racing, this paper reports on the findings of a study that explored the riskiness of involved drivers. The driving histories of 183 male drivers with an illegal street racing conviction in Queensland, Australia, were compared with a random sample of 183 male Queensland drivers with the same age distribution. The offender group was found to have significantly more traffic infringements, license sanctions, and crashes than the comparison group. Drivers in the offender group were more likely than the comparison group to have committed infringements related to street racing, such as speeding, “hooning,” and offenses related to vehicle defects or illegal modifications. Insufficient statistical capacity prevented full exploration of group differences in the type and nature of earlier crashes. It was concluded, however, that street racing offenders generally can be considered risky drivers who warrant attention and whose risky behavior cannot be explained by their youth alone.

Motorbikes against Ho Chi Minh? Or the icons of a social transformation in Vietnam

The motorcycle is an unavoidable item in contemporary Vietnam. Since the renovation policy (Doi Moi) in 1986, it became the most visible good of consumption. This article questions the utilitarian and symbolic use that is made by the urban populations of two major cities of the country: Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. This article addresses the question of the new values and social transformation within the post-socialist society in Vietnam, as seem to symbolize the social behaviours related to the use of motorbikes. Amongst others, it analyses the use of the motorcycle as a place of intimacy in a society where the State still widely shapes the private and public spaces. Actually, the motorcycle establishes a sphere of intimacy in the way people have appropriated the object in their social practice. The author also describes certain ritual phenomena associated to the use of motorcycles, such as the illegal races, which contribute to the construction of the masculine identity.

Street Racing: A Neglected Research Area?

Objective: To review: (1) the extent and frequency of street racing and its consequences; (2) the characteristics of street racers; (3) explanatory theories for street racing; (4) the legal issues; and (5) the best methods of preventing street racing. Methods: Review of academic and other literature. Results: Very limited official statistics are available on street racing offenses and related collisions, in part because of the different jurisdictional operational definitions of street racing and the ability of police to determine whether street racing was a contributing factor. Some data on prevalence of street racing have been captured through social surveys and they found that between 18.8 and 69.0 percent of young male drivers from various international jurisdictions have reported street racing. Moreover, street racing is found to be associated with other risky behaviors, substance abuse, and delinquent activities. The limited evidence available on street racing suggests that it has increased in the last decade. Conclusions: Street racing is a neglected research area and the time has come to examine the prevalence and causes of street racing and the effectiveness of various street racing countermeasures.

Pesquisa de campo em comunidades on-line sobre corridas ilegais de rua: velocidade, risco e masculinidade

This article is part of a research projectwith the purpose of understanding the risk conductpresent in illegal street racing, and the meaningsthey have for the young people who practice it.Speed has acquired an important value in modernwestern societies, in which several forms of risk pro-liferate, creating, at the same time, doubt and thesearch for safety. Unlike the way that risks are con-trolled in a technologized and securitarian world,some juvenile groups try to expose themselves tothem, widening and challenging them, sometimes,until the limit of life and death. Speed is shown asone of the main features of the urban revolutionand modern life, and the car is one of possible syn-thesis of the changes that occurred. The purpose ofthis article is to present initial theoretical conside-rations about this theme, based on the analysis ofdiscussion lists on the Internet, and methodologicalobservations about the study of an illegal practicethat instigates the ethnographical approach.

Wearing Out Racial Discourse: Tokyo Street Fashion and Race as Style

Wearing Out Racial Discourse: Tokyo Street Fashion and Race as Style