Fast, Furious Imitators?

By Isaac Blancas i.blancas@krdo.com

Watch out this weekend on the roads. That’s the warning from police after “Fast and Furious” debuts this weekend.

Blockbusters with illegal street racing tend to translate to real street racing so police are expecting it.

One moviegoer NEWSCHANNEL 13 spoke with says that street racing is already happening, and the movie won’t increase or decrease the problem.

“No, no, it doesn’t mean I’m gonna go do it. I enjoy watching people do it though”, says one movie goer.

The new Fast and Furious movie features cool cars, violence, and illegal street racing.

Movie goers we spoke with say that these illegal street racing movies do influence teenagers to street race.

Ronnie Barnes is promoting “Fast and Furious”, and he says it’s just a movie to him. Ronnie’s says his promotions don’t push the act of illegal street racing, but lean toward making the movies fun and educational.

“It teaches kids about paint jobs, the mechanics, teaches the kids about auto body” says Ronnie

“There are more kids who wanna open shop to creating business as opposed to buying a car, trying to make it fast, and racing everybody on Academy Boulevard. That they can do Academy in 2 minutes, it’s just not gonna happen.”

Some say just the opposite. Debra Carroll is a mother, and keeps an eye on what her kids watch.

“Kids see things, they replicate it, so I think they are very impressionable” says Debra

Movie goer Odie says he is sure that people will illegally street race this weekend in response to the movie.

“You’re gonna see speed races all over here and have like 6 people getting pulled over. I guarantee it.”

Police are thankful that this isn’t a summer movie, this weekend’s weather will hopefully slow down any mimics.