I have only 'lit them up' once and it was a deserted intersection. Even then, I didn't really get smoke because I let up a little to get traction.
I may light them up and get some smoke once, but it would have to be in a pretty isolated area.
When people come up next to me at a light and rev their engine, I let them go most times as I'm not one for drag racing... especially on the street.
Now, for playing on the open road, that's different. Open road, no other traffic and some guy want's to 'see what I got'... I usually show them the back end of the car getting smaller...