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Amy4Pets3 Second Lieutenant User is Offline Joined: 09 Aug 2007 Posts: 7832 Karma: 14 applaud / smite Location: Squarebanks, Alaska 5931 points 0 warnings 0 tempbans	Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 3:07 am    Post subject: Soldier and Passanger Die in a Street Racing Crash · Quote David Bedard Fort Wainwright PAO A Soldier with a passenger was traveling more than 100 mph while street racing when the other vehicle cut in front of him. The Soldier lost control of his vehicle, crossed the centerline and collided with two oncoming vehicles. Both the Soldier and passenger were killed in the collision. The other vehicle fled the scene. A Soldier was killed in a collision in Nolanville, Texas. The Soldier was watching from the side of the road as two other Soldiers were drag racing when the driver of a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse lost control of the vehicle and struck the Soldier. The monthly periodical “Knowledge,” the official safety magazine of the U.S. Army, filed both the aforementioned preliminary loss reports, highlighting the most extreme cost levied by street racing: three Soldier fatalities. The illegal and dangerous activity of street racing has been popularized by movies and video games glamorizing the speed contests offered outside of sanctioned track events. According to Lt. Ron Wall, Alaska State Troopers, a motorist does not need to exceed the posted speed limit to be cited for street racing, which alone amounts to a 10-point violation on a driving record. An accumulation of 12 points will result in a suspended license. “You can lose your license in one fell swoop,” Wall said. “It’s up to (the Soldier) if they want to ride a bicycle or walk. It’s pretty brutal around here at 60 below.” When up to an additional six points are added for speeding, the 12-point suspension threshold can be quickly exceeded. He also said it is very common for racers to get cited for reckless driving, accruing 10 more points. A street racer may believe he can get away from a pursuit if the other competitor is pulled over. Wall agreed the racer may get away, but only for a short time. He said the racer’s car and license plate will be captured in the squad car’s video camera. The racer may later be apprehended for attempting to elude a police officer, adding yet another 10-point violation. When the combined fines, court fees and insurance premium increases are added up, the bill for street racing often rivals that for driving under the influence of alcohol. Misdemeanor and felony class charges can also be filed for serious street racing incidents. “You go to prison because your negligent behavior resulted in the death of someone else,” Wall said. “Now you have a manslaughter charge or a criminal negligent homicide charge because you were street racing.” The greatest risk posed by street racing, however, is to the Soldier’s safety. “You’re playing Russian Roulette,” Wall said “There’s always a chance that you are going to hurt yourself.” Wall said racers are often trying to prove how fast their vehicles are or are seeking a thrill. “There’s drag racing strips to put cars to the test if that is what you want to do,” he said. “There’s a time and a place for things, and a public roadway is not one of them.” Wall said there are razor thin margins during a street race, and even experienced, competent drivers can’t account for all of the risk factors involved. The increased speeds of street racers compounded by the speed of oncoming traffic allow for little error exacerbated by abbreviated reaction times. All told, the monetary, legal and safety risks of street racing don’t outweigh the value of an illicit thrill. “Troopers have the utmost respect for men and women in the service,” Wall said. “There’s nothing worse than putting yourself out there at risk everyday in combat, then coming home and getting hurt doing something stupid.” _________________ Established member 25+ posts CO M.S.T. Delta Company If you are ashamed to stand by your colors, you had better seek another flag. ~Author Unknown <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g75/Amy4Pets3/Amybouncy.gif" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>
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