DENVER — Law enforcement agencies across the Denver metro area made more than 280 citations and four arrests in a joint operation to stop street racing, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) said Friday.
>> The video above is how Denver Police use helicopter to find illegal street races
The 34 agencies on board included police departments, sheriff's offices and district attorney's offices from the Denver metro area to Colorado Springs. They agreed to continue their efforts to keep roadways safe from street racing, CSP says in news release.
"Street racing is a dangerous activity that puts lives at risk. Drivers who engage in street racing can quickly lose control and injure or kill themselves or other innocent roadway users," the release says. "In addition, other criminal activities are often tied to these racers, increasing the level of danger. There have been reports of shots being fired during recent events."
Anyone engaging in street racing could face serious penalties like:
- Reckless driving
- Reckless endangerment
- Engaging in a speed contest
- Aiding in a speed contest
- Obstructing a highway incident to a speed contest
CSP said charges like these could carry enough points that a participant could lose their driving privilege, or face fines or jail time.
There have been a few high-profile incidents in recent weeks of street racing in the Denver metro area. Police said on April 3, an innocent bystander was killed in a crash at 18th and Lawrence streets in Denver that was caused by a street racer. On March 7, street racers shut down Interstate 225 near East Colfax Avenue.
For those who find themselves in a situation where cars are racing, CSP said to separate yourself and move safely away from those vehicles. Do not try to stop the other cars, but go ahead and call law enforcement.
If there is an immediate safety risk, call 911; otherwise, report the incident to CSP by dialing 277 from a cellphone. People can also later report events to CSP at reportstreetracing.com.
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