Drivers who participate in illegal motorbike racing on city streets willbe fined and possibly criminally prosecuted under new cityregulations, according to the HCM City People's Committee.

Col Vo Van Nhuan, head of HCM City Traffic Police, said the police andrelevant agencies would work with bike mechanics to put an end to themodification of engines that make them more powerful and dangerous.

The motorbikes also often have their brake systems removed and have loud horns and noisy exhaust pipes during the races.

Nhuan said police would keep records of the racing and encouragevendors at night to keep local police informed of any illegal races.

The city People's Committee chairman, Le Hoang Quan, has urgeddistricts to be as vigilant as Binh Thanh district in breaking up gangsof illegal motorbike drivers who threaten public safety.

The Traffic Safety Committee has lauded Binh Thanh district's effort instopping illegal racing, an activity that the city has had littlesuccess in curbing in recent years.

Binh Thanh districtpolice, Hang Xanh Traffic police and other police units recentlyentrapped 550 illegal drivers by using cars to set up blocks at a mainroad and several alleys.

Drivers whose bikes were seizedat the time will not receive their bikes back until they present aletter of intent from their family in which they promise that theirchildren will not race illegally.

Police will also holdmeetings in communities to speak publicly about the violators'activities, prior to returning their bikes. Nhuan said more vigilance bypolice units was required, but that other city agencies shouldco-operate to help stop the illegal activity.

Families should teach their children about traffic safety and a healthy lifestyle, he added./.