Riverside police conducted 44 traffic stops and issued 40 citations Saturday, Sept. 2, as part of a crackdown on illegal street racing and speeding, according to a news release.

The enforcement operation, funded by a federal grant through the state Office of Traffic Safety, targets areas within the city where illegal street racing has been a problem.

Vehicles found with illegal modifications were referred to the California Bureau of Automotive Repair for follow up inspections by expert mechanics. The state may require returning a vehicle to stock condition before it can be registered.

Owners may modify exhaust, engine or emissions systems to, for example, increase vehicle horsepower, according Riverside police traffic bureau Sgt. Eric Detmer.

Police did not find evidence of street racing on Saturday, but participants caught street racing could be charged with a felony if they attempt to elude officers, and spectators also could be arrested.

Vehicles involved in racing may be held for a 30-day impound period which could cost owners about $2,200 in tow and storage fees.