Education one way to stop illegal races

February 7, 2014

Racers taking part in DAIICHI Sarawak Motor Racing Championship in this file photo.

SIBU: Education on road safety is one of ways to put the brakes on illegal racing, suggests Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He said ‘bike racing’ on public road could not be stopped by only building racing tracks for them.

“Racing is a form of ‘escapism’ for some bikers during their teenage years. As they get older the craze dies down.

“We need to educate them on road safety and divert their attention to other forms of recreational activities if we need to solve this problem.

“Parents also need education to guide their children away from (illegal) bike racing.

“The police and Road Transport Dept also need to be firm.

“Building racing tracks for them is only a small solution,” Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, said.

Director of the state Youth and Sports Dept, Abdul Haris Ishak, has said a proposal to build a race track might be submitted to the state government for consideration.

He said motor sport was getting very popular these days especially among youths but didn’t have a proper place to race and show off their skills.

Abdul Karim said illegal racing was rampant in the cities, towns and any long stretch of good road.

“I am not sure if building a track could solve the problem. I personally feel that it wouldn’t.”

Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee, on the other hand, said a race track could help reduce illegal racing and get riders to conform to road safety rules and regulations.