Hong Kong police started on Friday a three-week crackdown against illegal motor racing around the city.

According to a press release from the Information Services Department of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, the action will also zero in on offense such as speeding, dangerous or careless driving, failing to comply with traffic signals and vehicle modification.

Hong Kong Police carried out 261 similar operations against illegal motor racing and prosecuted 4,498 people in the first three quarters this year. They also received 374 complaints involving illegal motor racing, and confirmed 15 cases.

Last year, Hong Kong Police prosecuted 7,916 people in 411 operations against illegal motor racing, and received 351 complaints about the offense.

Police will track down drivers, especially those engaged in illegal motor racing, who have no regard for their own safety or that of other people, the press release said.

Racing is a serious offense. The maximum penalty in Hong Kong is a 10,000 Hong Kong dollars (about US$1,290) fine and 12 months in jail. Any driver convicted of the offense will also be disqualified from driving for a year.

(Xinhua News Agency November 10, 2007)