Police Cracking Down On Street Racing Near Tulsa Airport

Tulsa police are cracking down on street racer near the airport.

Police say they’ve written nearly 100 tickets, made three arrests, and towed four vehicles in just the last two weekends.

Police say they know street racers go to that area thinking they won’t hurt anybody, but officers want to remind them that there are a lot of businesses nearby that have 24-hour operations.

Officers spent the past two weekends breaking up street races on Port Road, which runs in front of the zoo and the Tulsa Air and Space Museum.

They say the starting line for many races is right in front of a business that has employees and trucks coming and going around the clock.  In fact, they say, one employee had a close call recently, when they pulled out, right as the racers sped by.

“I certainly sympathize with the thrill and excitement of participating in that type of activity, but there has to be a better place for it than in front of our business and in areas that impact the access to the airport,” said Timothy Reather with United States Aviation.

Police say it may be fun, but it’s illegal and dangerous.  They say one of the people arrested was for a DUI – he was sitting on the wrong side of the road and getting ready to race.

“So, it’s a good thing we got there when we did on that one,” said Captain Brian Carlisle.

Police don’t want the racers to get hurt, but their bigger concern is that some innocent driver will be killed.

“Somebody’s not going to know what’s going on, driving down the road, following the rules of the road, and get hit by someone driving excessively fast speeds, one who’s going to be on the wrong side of the road,” said Carlisle.

Police say that as long as drivers are out there racing, they’ll keep writing tickets and making arrests.