Drag racing creates mixed reactions among Lowvelders
The drag racing, often advertised as Nelsville Drag, is said to happen on a Sunday once a month, however, residents living in and around Nelsville have said the races are becoming more frequent with cars racing almost every Sunday from midday to evening.
Some deem it an accident waiting to happen, while others’ need for speed outweighs the illegality and danger of drag racing, which is becoming rife in the Lowveld.
Many say their pleas for stricter law enforcement in the area fall on deaf ears.
Public roads like Crocodile Valley are now often closed in broad daylight, and transformed into a drag strip, much to the entertainment of scores of onlookers.
The drag racing, often advertised as Nelsville Drag, is said to happen on a Sunday once a month, however, residents living in and around Nelsville have said the races are becoming more frequent with cars racing almost every Sunday from midday to evening.
Condemning these reckless acts, the spokesperson for the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Moeti Mmusi, said drag racing in an area that has not been designated for the sport is considered illegal and those caught participating in the action could be arrested and charged with reckless driving.
Another drag event took place on Sunday October 24 with scores of people from across the Lowveld coming out to either watch the day’s proceedings or to participate, while other residents against the racing tried to avoid the area at all costs, deeming it dangerous.
A resident living near the road used for racing, who did not want to be named for fear of victimisation from racers and supporters of the event, said it was becoming an alarming occurrence that on some Sunday afternoons/evenings, the Crocodile Valley road is blocked off for use as drag racing strip.
“Hordes of people converge and prevent us from using the road, which is the only route to some of our houses. It has become a public drinking spot, where spectators line the side of the road with the alcohol flowing. There were even tow trucks present in case of an accident. They warn us that we use the road at our own risk,” said the resident.
“I am concerned that they are going to cause a major accident and kill someone unknowingly driving to town. Traffic police and the police do nothing when they are alerted. There is no willingness to apply the law, or to come and sort out this kind of lawlessness.”
One participant from Sunday’s race said, however, that the Nelsville Drags should be celebrated as so many people come to watch and seem to enjoy the racing.
The participant, who did not want to be named for fear of legal repercussions, said he had started the day off at the races as a spectator until a friend from Karino challenged him to take part.
“Only two people are allowed to drag at a time. There is order there,” said the racer.
“I was there from 14:00 on Sunday. As the day got later, the vibe was just on flames. Then a friend challenged me and we drove the drag strip. It was awesome.”
When asked how he felt about people viewing the racing as dangerous, he said, “Those are lies. It is only dangerous when you don’t know what you are doing. Nothing is never dangerous, even at a suitable place for it.
“Having a dragging plot would be a very good thing, but for now we settle with what we have. We don’t steal or shed blood to do the racing. Racers should race, and cops should sit and eat doughnuts,” he said. However, this sentiment was not shared among everyone, with many complaining that the noise and mess created by the racers on a Sunday was an eyesore and disturbed the peace.
According to Mmusi, drag racing should be done only in designated areas. “Members of the public must report such people to law enforcement because that is not only illegal, it also endangers other people’s lives,” he said.
“Law enforcement should arrest anyone who violates the National Road Traffic Act, which includes drag racing,” he said.
“We are not opposed to legal drag racing in designated areas as it helps some people make a living and boosts tourism in that area, however, we are grossly opposed to it when it occurs outside a designated track. It is an accident waiting to happen,” he said.
Mmusi said he was not aware of anyone reporting events of drag racing to the traffic department to which it did not attend, and encouraged people to report illegal drag racing to prevent any tragedies.
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He said if law enforcement did not attend to the event when reported by residents, they should then go directly to the department to report the matter and lay a complaint.
He said the same should be done with the police and if they did not come out when called, they should be reported to their station commander or even the district commander.
* Comments on Lowvelder’s Facebook page also showed mixed reactions, with some people telling racers and spectators not to snitch, while others complained bitterly of the potential danger to other non-racing road users and pedestrians as well as concerns over the litter left the next day.
