[Excaliber]

In Hawaii you can apply for an "alteration/modification" exemption. The modifications law is rarely enforced however. Typically it is used when someone, or a gathering of people are suspected of street raceing but the police cannot prove their case. Non standard mufflers, wings, body kits, engine mods etc. have been cause for a substantial ticket. I've never personally heard of anyone actually applying for an exemption. The various and MANY mechanic shops are not regulated by law as to the mods they do on a car, that is the owners problem.

There have been street racing accidents resulting in death of OTHER drivers who were NOT street raceing at the time. The most recent involved a family on their way to church, the mother was killed. The community went ballistic, resulting in harsh new laws. Your car WILL be confiscated if your caught street racing. A second offense can result in permanent loss of your license.

There is fine line between chirping the tires and driving fast and "street raceing". Many of us have driven "fast" on the highway and "chirped" our tires. At the wrong place and the wrong time we could easily cross the line from "having some fun" to "street raceing".

I don't know in Marks case how it really went down. I like to think he recognized he was to close to that line and was trying to get out of a bad situation. I will not cast blame on either driver because I do not know the facts. The Courts will determine the issues here when ALL the evidence and mitigating circumstances are considered. My heart goes out to the familys involved in this tragedy.

Ernie