A primary school teacher, a nurse and a professional driver were among 14 men arrested for illegal street racing in Hong Kong as police stepped up enforcement ahead of the annual Macau Grand Prix.

The operation, which took place over the past two months, also led to the seizure of 14 cars to check for possible illegal modifications.

Some cars have been recorded traveling at 135 km/h (84 mph) on narrow, twisting sections with a 50 km/h speed limit as they repeatedly cross double white lines around the bends on Route Twisk, according to the police.

The 14 men, aged between 20 and 33, were detained for illegal racing and driving without third-party insurance. They included a primary school teacher, a nurse and a professional driver. All had been released on bail and were due to report to police later this month.

“The police want to take this opportunity to severely punish these drivers. These illegal racing activities not only endanger other road users, but are also a major factor behind serious accidents,” said Chief Inspector Charles Ng Hing-cheong of the New Territories North traffic unit.

Ng said no arrests were made at the scene to send a message of safe driving.