Drag racing frenzy in Cologne turns deadly

With many residents of Cologne still in shock over the recent death of a 26-year-old man named Gianluca, who was hit by a driver supposedly racing his BMW, police in northern Germany are looking for the next illegal drag racers.

Over the weekend, a 52-year-old woman was killed in a car accident that witnesses said was the result of a race between two other drivers who had even crossed over into a lane for oncoming traffic. When the woman swerved to avoid the cars, she drove off the road and hit a streetlight. Her passenger survived with minor injuries. Both of the other drivers fled the scene.

Cologne currently holds the sad record when it comes to deaths of innocent bystanders in illegal car races in Germany. This year alone such races have claimed the lives of a 49-year-old taxi passenger, a 19-year-old cyclist and Gianluca - who was killed on July 10, also while cycling. All of the races took place in downtown Cologne, with the latest accident occurring near a popular meeting place for students.

'Racers not afraid of dying'

"None of these racers are afraid of dying," said André Bresges, a professor based in Cologne. He has conducted several studies about the drag racing scene in Germany, and interviewed many racers. "Their focus is on being the fastest. They would rather die than end up in a wheelchair.

Psychologist Karl-Friedrich Voss said most of the racers are young men who've got something to prove, and haven't managed to do so in any other social environment. The racing scene, which has its own Internet community, tends to meet outside larger cities. But they're just as risky as those held in cities. City races, he said, are sometimes organized, but often not.

Seeking attention

Spontaneous races usually begin at a traffic light. "Such races tend to be more dangerous because, as is the case in Cologne, they take place in the middle of the city," said Bresges. The western German metropolis is very attractive to young drag racers seeking attention. "Cologne has lots of boulevards lined with bars, cafes and ice cream shops," he said. And since social recognition from outsiders is one of the main reasons for participating in such dangerous races, it's not so surprising that Cologne has the highest number of accidents, Bresges added.

Bresges has been working with police in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia on a drag race prevention program called "Crash Course." Police officers visit schools to directly engage young people who are about to get their driving license, or who already have one. People who've been in accidents and paramedics also talk with the students about their experiences.

The program particularly targets the "silent majority," said Bresges. "The drivers need the groupies who admire them. If these people, who are often women, no longer fulfill that function, or suggest doing something else like going to a movie, then we've already won a large part of the battle."

Cologne calls for zero tolerance

But Bresges said it's much harder to get through to the drivers. Even "shock videos" that show particularly graphic scenes have little effect. In fact, both Bresges and Voss are against the use of such videos. "Young people today are used to such scenes from films. They're completely in keeping with their viewing habits," said Bresges. "There are even studies that show that such videos can be counteractive. The racers think that such accidents won't happen to them. They think they know their cars better, that they've got it all under control."

In Cologne, police and city officials have declared "zero tolerance for racers." City director Guido Kahlen said no effort is being spared to get racers off the streets. Police are checking suspicious drivers and carrying out more speed controls on several well-known racing routes.

Bresges is in favor of installing speed bumps that would force drivers to slow down. He said evidence shows that racers, who often have cars with low-ride suspension, drive over speed bumps even more slowly than other drivers. "The racers are not worried about losing their lives, but they are worried about damaging their cars."