Hong Kong police have arrested 11 people and seized eight cars suspected to have been illegally modified in a crackdown on speeding and unlawful racing in the West Kowloon region during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The force said on Thursday that using radar speed detectors, officers caught 123 vehicles speeding on Tuesday and Wednesday, with court summons to be issued to the motorists.
The eight seized cars were intercepted during the operation and were suspected of having illegally modified exhaust pipes, enhanced rear spoilers or altered steering wheels, police added.
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One of the vehicles was also found to have a cracked windscreen.
The eight vehicles were impounded at the Kowloon Bay Vehicle Detention and Examination Centre for further examination.
“During the operation, officers used unmarked police vehicles to patrol in areas such as Tai Po Road, Lung Cheung Road, Ching Cheung Road, West Kowloon Highway and West Kowloon to combat illegal racing and speeding,” the force.
According to the force, the 11 arrestees – eight men and three women – were detained for offences such as driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while disqualified, driving without a third-party insurance and trafficking in a dangerous drug.
Police said the suspects had all been released on bail pending further investigation.
“The Kowloon West traffic unit will continue to strengthen law enforcement to combat illegal racing, unauthorised vehicle modifications and other traffic violations,” the force stressed.
“Police will ensure smooth roads, safeguard public safety and raise awareness of road safety among road users through stringent traffic enforcement actions.”
The latest police figures showed the number of people killed or seriously injured in traffic accidents across the city dropped by 39.4 per cent to 478 in the first seven months of this year, down from 790 over the same period in 2023.
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