Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
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Debbie Dujanovic - reporter
Kelly Just - producerFour serious accidents, hundreds of tickets, and your emails about getting run off the road, prompted tonight's Eyewitness News undercover investigation. It's the second time in two years we've exposed street racers.
Police say street racing has become a huge public safety threat. So, we set up a hidden camera and confronted street racers.
"Their" west side race strip is really one of your city streets. When the racers can't stand the heat on State Street, many flee to a hotspot on 4800 West.
In front of our hidden camera, racers cranked through 10 races in 10 minutes, showing no signs of stopping.
They race: you pay. Just look at this victim and the staples in his head. He and his buddy were clipped by racers, then thrown across I-15.
Police declare the problem out of control. We've got the proof: Tracking the racers' website, we find no road is safe. They race anywhere. They're also betting on themselves -- giving themselves a financial incentive to jeopardize your safety.
Sgt Scott VanWagoner / Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office: "You think this piece of roadway paid for by the taxpayers...is your private raceway? "
Capt. Jack Carruth, South Salt Lake Police Dept.: "It's pretty clear if you spend anytime on State Street who's racing, who's not."
We spent months this summer and fall watching the battle unfold. It's police vs. street racers. Here's what we discovered: the racers use cell phones, spotters, and headlight signals to alert their friends when cops are closing in.
They work the map to dodge police. They escape a South Lake P.D. crack down by crossing 21st South into Salt Lake. When Salt Lake police spot them, they head into West Valley. Cross the road here, and they're in County Sheriff territory. It's a vicious cycle.
In reaction to growing safety concerns, Capitol Hill enacted a new law, and it's helping cops to put the brakes on the racing.
Debbie Dujanovic: "Are you going to tow the car?"
Dep. Dave Jenson, Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office: "We are"
Debbie Dujanovic: "You can do that now?"
Dep. Dave Jenson, Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office: "We can."
Our cameras were there night after night as police call in a steady stream of tow trucks.
Debbie Dujanovic: "How's this new law working for you? They can tow your car now?"
Racer: "I don't know."
We do -- he lost his car.
Debbie Dujanovic: "Were you street racing?
Racer: "Yeah"
Debbie Dujanovic: "Did you win?"
Racer: "Yeah I won."
Did he? Cost of the tow: $170.
Racer: "It's going to the impound lot ... Oh, no"
Oh yes. $240 to get it back, tomorrow.
Everyone wins, when street racers walk home.
Police are using every tool: Salt Lake P.D. 50 tickets in one weekend, most for curfew violations. South Salt Lake even tickets them for gathering in parking lots.
Debbie Dujanovic: "People have been killed doing this.
Racer: "Yeah I know."
They know, but keep racing. When our hidden camera finally stopped rolling, 28 races had been run.
The big issue for police: racers jump from city to city, so it's not just one city's problem. So, we called five different police departments and invited the Department of Public Safety into our newsroom to watch our undercover video and discuss a solution. They're leading the charge now, looking into a valley-wide law enforcement effort.
