Hong Kong police in new crackdown on illegal road racers

Police are set to target motorists who practise a dangerous and illegal driving technique known as "drifting" on Hong Kong roads, amid a wider crackdown against illegal road racers timed to coincide with next month's Macau Grand Prix.

Officers say drifting - which involves drivers sharply braking the rear wheels of their car to create a controlled four-wheel skid when turning sharp corners at pace - has become popular among some young drivers in recent years.

Last month, police received complaints of 40 drift drivers who had gathered at a roundabout in Tsing Yi while the No 8 typhoon signal was in force for Typhoon Usagi. Most of them had dispersed by the time officers arrived. Three arrests were made.

"It's against the law," said Chief Inspector David Bennett of the Traffic New Territories South police district. "Drifting can easily cause accidents. It's dangerous for the drift drivers themselves and it poses a danger to other road users and onlookers."

The Tsing Yi roundabout and an outdoor car park in Wang Chau village in Yuen Long are among other noted spots that attract drift drivers, particularly when it is raining. Bennett said drifting requires a wet road and a rear-wheel-drive vehicle.

"When it rains they are happy, but we are concerned," he said.

Drift drivers are usually young men who gather in the early hours of weekends, often accompanied by women passengers.