US sees surge in deadly street racing amid pandemic

Racers block roads, travel in packs and engage in drag racing or perform stunts as deaths and quality-of-life widely reported

While America's coronavirus pandemic has disrupted routine car traffic by reducing daily commutes and travel to leisure activities, authorities across the US said unauthorized street racers have taken advantage of these newly quiet roadways - and that these competitive motorists have killed several unsuspecting drivers.

Illegal street racing has reportedly surged ever since Covid-19 hit the US in earnest last spring, with officials reporting increases in states such as Georgia, New York, New Mexico and Oregon, among others, officials said.