This is where the hoon laws are unfair. It's up to the cop that sees you to decide if you are racing or not, even if you don't exceed the speed limit they can get you.
Old people often get into accidents because they have trouble estimating the speed on oncoming traffic. I think in the abovementioned case it's quite likely that a much younger person would have noticed the speed of the cars approaching and not pulled out. That said, it gives no excuse to the dickheads that were racing. It's their fault entirely.
This:
is the most relevant statement with regards to the baiting being talked about. It is sometimes said that the difference between a criminal and a non criminal is opportunity. If I put a cold beer on my front fence someone will take it. If it's on my front porch, it's a good chance of being taken. If it's behind a locked door it's probably safe. If a copper incites a race he is creating an opportunity that would not otherwise have existed, thus potentially turning a non criminal into a criminal.