Police have launched a two-week crackdown on illegal road racing across Hong Kong in the lead-up to the Macau Grand Prix in mid-November.

Other undesirable driving behaviour will also be targeted, like speeding, dangerous or careless driving, traffic-light jumping, noncompliance with traffic signals, vehicle modification and failure to wear seat-belts.

On the first day of operation yesterday five people were arrested for traffic offences, eight vehicles detained for examination and two summonses and 85 fixed penalty tickets issued.

In the first six months of this year Police conducted 161 similar operations and prosecuted 5,042 people. There were 369 operations last year and 411 in 2006, with 9,167 and 7,916 people prosecuted.

Police received 199 complaints about illegal road racing in the first half of the year, 497 last year and 351 in 2006. Of them, 75 cases were confirmed.

Drivers convicted of illegal road racing will face jail and losing their licenses.