Police see surge in street racing during summer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A police officer spotted two cars street racing near the Interstate 77 toll lanes.

Authorities pulled over one of the cars and the driver said they were filming a video.

Police said cars racing along local roads is more common than many think.

A Huntersville police officer drove onto I-77 from Gilead Road Sunday night and said he saw the cars racing.

[Sheriff: Street racer running from police caused fatal wreck]

The cars were going about 80 mph in a 65 mph zone.

Pui Tse, 20, was driving a Chevrolet Camaro and was arrested for having a prearranged speed competition.

"They were taking shots for a video with a friend in the other car," the police officer said.

Matt Reilly, director of operations at BRAKES, hopes to prevent racing on open roads by teaching safe driving techniques to teens.

He allows racing at his drag-racing track.

"Go as fast as you want and you're not going to get a speeding ticket,” he said. “You're going to get a time card, and that's the safe way to do it."

In the last month, troopers said they've received reports of street racing on Interstate 485.

Getting caught street racing can have some serious consequences.

The violator's car can be seized and then sold at an auction if they are convicted and their license can be suspended sometimes for years.

Tse bonded out of jail Sunday night.

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Cox Media Group