Illegal motorcycle drag racing a major threat on CLLEX in Nueva Ecija

Illegal motorcycle drag racing has recently become a dangerous and disruptive activity on the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) in Nueva Ecija.

In a "24 Oras" report, the riders often wear only slippers and do not wear helmets are racing over 100 kilometers per hour, posing as a serious threat to themselves and other motorists.

These drag races that involve high stakes bets of up to P150,000 can take place at any time of the day— whether it’s during the afternoon when it disrupts passing vehicles or at night when the expressway is poorly lit.

The lack of proper gear and reckless driving only heighten the risk of accidents.

The PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) recently conducted an operation after receiving numerous complaints from the public about the dangers posed by these illegal races. The operation resulted in the arrest of six riders, who were cited for violations of traffic and land transportation rules.

“Nakatanggap kami ng maraming reklamo tungkol sa ingay at sa reckless na mga gawain ng mga nagkakarera, dahil binabago nila ang kanilang mga motorsiklo at nagdudulot ito ng malalaking panganib sa kaligtasan,” said P/Lt. Nadame Malang, Chief Public Information Officer of the PNP HPG.

(We’ve received numerous complaints about the noise and the reckless behavior of these racers, as they modify their motorcycles and cause significant safety hazards.)

Aside from the noise pollution caused by modified motorcycle mufflers, these races endanger the participants and innocent motorists. The modified vehicles increase the risk of mechanical failure, which can lead to even more severe accidents.

In response to the rising number of complaints, the PNP HPG is working closely with the management of CLLEX to prevent the expressway from becoming a hotspot for illegal drag racing. More than ten motorcycles were seized during the operation, and authorities are continuing efforts to gather statements from those arrested.

While the PNP-HPG continues to combat this issue, they also encourage anyone interested in racing to participate in legal, government-approved events rather than endangering lives on public roads.

“Illegal ito, at kung gusto mong sumali sa karera, mayroon tayong mga aprubadong lugar para dito. Patuloy kaming magtatrabaho upang tiyakin na walang puwang ang mga ganitong mapanganib na aktibidad sa ating mga kalsada,” Malang noted.

(This is illegal, and if you want to participate in a race, there are sanctioned venues for it. We will continue to ensure that such dangerous activities have no place on our highways.) — Sherylin Untalan/BAP, GMA Integrated News

Authorities are calling on the public to report any illegal racing activities to help curb this growing menace on the road.