Street-racing was brought under public scrutiny after the release of the blockbuster movie The Fast and the Furious, which featured modified Japanese sports cars similar to the one pictured above.

The programme outlines a growing trend among young drivers and motorcyclists to film themselves racing, speeding and driving dangerously on the public highway.

Incidents include:

1) A motorcyclist filming himself while hitting 176mph. Police are still hunting for this biker who, if caught, would be Britain's fastest speeder;

2) Speeding driver Nathan Campbell, the first man to be prosecuted on video evidence and to go to prison for such an offence. He hit 140mph on the M65;

3) Surfing on the top of a car;

4) Stunt driving on the public highway.

YouTube, one of the most popular video-hosting sites, states in its community guidelines: "Don't post videos showing dangerous or illegal acts."

The RAC Foundation said today: "Racing on the public highway is both illegal and dangerous. We believe these videos must be taken down as soon as they are brought to YouTube's attention."

Sheila Rainger, the foundation's head of campaigns, said: "While there has always been an inclination for some young drivers to show off by racing on the highway, the information superhighway gives them a worldwide audience.

"We are concerned that posting film of illegal and dangerous driving on the internet is leading to copycat stunts, drivers trying to beat the records set."

She went on: "It is not illegal to show the footage but we believe websites have a moral obligation not to allow it since it encourages dangerous driving. Together with the police we are calling on the video-hosting sites to voluntarily remove clips of dangerous driving on the public highway.

"They do not need to hide behind excuses of censorship or lack of legislation to act on this matter."