The Thrill That Kills Essay -- Essays Papers

The Thrill That Kills Street racing has become a very dangerous sport in the 20th century. In the article The Thrill That Kills by Paul-Mark Rendon, he describes the dangers and consequences of illegal street racing. This article was published Sept. 17, 2001 in MacLean’s. This is an article that tries to reach out to street racers and also anyone interested in knowing more about street racing and its dangers. The article discusses how for the driver, racing is an exciting adrenaline rush, but for the people, is an endangerment to their safety. The author uses facts like how dozens of innocent people have died due to street racing. Even drivers themselves die because of losing control or hitting another car. This article makes readers think twice about wanting to go out on the streets and race. This article gives evidence that street racing is very dangerous. The author gives clear evidence to support his topic that illegal street racing is dangerous. Racing on a public road can have many variables that can lead to the worst. Some of these variables are that â€Å"where unexpected traffic, uneven roads and inexperienced drivers, some as young as 16, form a deadly combination.† The author tells how an innocent person walking across the street, was hit by one of three cars racing that were traveling approximately 200 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. The body was thrown 80 meters and died before he hit the ground. â€Å"In Vancouver alone, police count six fatalities from street racing in the past year.† Mark uses this information to get his point through to the readers because people are most affected when they hear about other people dying. Paul- Mark explains how driving experience on the streets is very low. Hardly any of the... ...there. Paul-Mark tells how the Darknights are a good cause, but â€Å"there’s always going to be a situation where there’s heated argument and no one wants to waste their time and say, ‘We’ll settle this at the racetrack.’ We’ll pick a road, we’ll do it for this much and then we’ll go home.† This makes the reader realize how even though street racers are aware of the tremendous dangers of street racing and have a legal way to do it, they still would rather put people’s lives at risk and race on the streets. Although this article appeals to common sense the most, Paul-Mark’s claims are obvious with very good example to back those claims up. Readers get the full picture of what is really going down in the street racing scene and how the dangers continue to exist. Paul-Mark has strong appeals and emotions throughout this paper that keeps readers hooked the entire time.