Drag racing, which found its way into Portmore, St. Catherine, in the early hours of yesterday, resulted in a four-car collision in the vicinity of the Portmore fishing village.
The accident has left at least seven persons injured. Three of them have been admitted to hospital. However, the police were not able to provide the names up to press time. The Kingston Public Hospital confirmed that three of the persons were admitted there.
According to police reports, the injured included members of a group of persons who had gathered for a drag race in the area. The police was alerted and the group was reprimanded and turned away.
But on leaving the scene, the drivers proceeded to engage each other in a race which resulted in the accident. The cars involved in the accident included a Mitsubishi Lancer, a Toyota Levin, Toyota Sprinter and a Mark II, however, not all of them were involved in the drag race.
The Waterford police reported that the Mitsubishi was heading towards Kingston from Portmore when the Sprinter, in attempting to overtake, collided into its rear. The Mitsubishi was spun around and ended up on the other side of the road where it crashed into a light post. The Sprinter then collided with the Levin vehicle which was approaching from the opposite direction. The Mark II motorcar which was travelling towards Kingston in turn collided with the Levin. All parties sustained injuries and were taken to the Kingston Public Hospital where three have been admitted.
While motor racing in defined areas like Vernam Field, Clarendon, and Dover, St. Ann, has been recognised as a sport, it is still illegal to engage in it on public streets. Drag racing is competitive driving over a fixed distance usually a quarter of a mile. Recently the police intervened when residents complained of young persons engaging in drag racing along Old Hope Road in St. Andrew. Residents in the communities of Hope Pastures, Norbrook and Constant Spring have also complained about the practice in their areas.
According to Constable Devon Williams of the Constabulary Communication Network, the activity constitutes an offence and under the law persons may be charged for "dangerous and reckless or careless driving".
- Glenda Anderson
