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Street Racing Laws are Vague

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9.1K views 85 replies 41 participants last post by  akronmusician413  
#1 ·
NOTE To MODS: this thread doesnt relate to a STREET RACING event. im just saying HOW the laws are vague.....

IMO they are a scam,easy way for the cop to get money for the state. also, it depends on what you do . let me break it down to you..

lets say there are two cars at a light(intersection). and the speed limit is 50 or 55MPH. the light turns green and they both floor it, but they only go to the maximum speed posted in that area.could this be considered as street racing??? who the hell knows? they only went to 50 or 55 MPH, which IS the safe speed for that area. this proves why street racing laws are a SCAM. they arent clear enough. they try to find hobbies us enthusiast like and they try to ruin it for us. here is another example, what is the difference between street racing(two or more cars going at it) or just 1 car going past the limit. thats just as dangerous as street racing. however,the 1 car going faster than the speed limit will only get a ticket.do u see what i mean now..

discuss.......
 
#5 ·
yea but accelerateing at a light to fast.....what does that consist of? peeling out cuz if none of them ever transfer skids to the pavement or you never hear chirps from either car, how is it wreckless driving wouldnt this be considered spirited dragging or some BS name you might have...?
 
#6 ·
In Maryland there is no ticket for "street racing" the ticket will state "Exhibition of Speed" which is defined as gettin up to a speed too quickly, now this is going to be at the officers discression but i feel if a car floors it just to get up to speed they are driving like an ass anyway. Another ticket you can recieve in Maryland is "competing in a speed contest" this would be when 2 or more vehicles are involved. Street racing laws are not vauge in the least...... sounds more like an excuse for someone to just try to justify driving like an ass. Bottom line....DONT STREET RACE.
 
#7 ·
Here is something hilarious: In Ontario, Canada, anyone driving 50 kph over the limit is given an automatic street racing even if a driver is alone at the time. So, an 85 year old man, driving his Oldsmobile to the bank, was ticketed for "street racing", given a $10,000 fine, had his car impounded and license suspended for 7 days.
Posts tagged Ontario street racing law at Autoblog

I think it is ridiculous for someone who is only speeding to be given a street racing citation. To me, the police should have to observe two cars racing side by side to warrant a citation of the magnitude that is given out in Ontario.

I understand the cracking down on dangerous street racing, but seriously, every day I drive, people where I live could be cited for "street racing" simply because they want to get ahead of someone at a light and these things are usually done with incredibly slow cars, not modded high performance cars.

Where I live, there is a road with a 50 mph speed limit. The road had a number of traffic lights and narrows down to one lane. So, people often try to get an advantage before the narrowing down of the lanes. Is it street racing or jockeying for position? Tough call.
 
#17 ·
ok i will put my 2 cents.. and this occcassion wasnt street racing, it was simply 2 cars speeeeding not trying to see who wins..

i was driving my si on a street down which is overfilled with cops and i see a beemer 3series speed up and past me , so i shrugged it off aas i had my gf with me .. so he passes me..2 lights down, there he was first car in the left lane nd im first car in the right lane... as i have tht problem, i susually dont let off my clutch the way im suposed to , so my car peels off, yea clutch runs out faster but hey...
well back on track, apparently the beemer thought i was goin @ it so he guns it and oo wht do you know, we have 2 cops pullin us over... for racing? wtf?? i wasnt evn doin anything... well short story, i was let go after many threats of how irresponsible carless guy i am, and i was let go.. not sure wht happened to the bmw but yes..
after tht situation i was told , if tht ever happens to me, doo not stop with the 2nd car bc they would give u a citation for street racing, may impound ur car and arrest you, mayb my gf was my superior luck charm tht day . but yes..
 
#22 ·
I understand what you are saying in Memphis, TN the laws are extremely vague. I looked on the TN board of laws and it said that if you and another care were exhibit speed at a light it could be considered racing if both cars, check this out folks (were modded). What the hell so if the ass on the side of me starts revving his engine and spins tires, and I am sitting here looking at him stupid as hell I get a ticket for street-racing, exhibition of speed, and or wreckless endangerment for stupidity of someon else. Its a bunch of croc I tell ya. The laws are vague and should be better defined by the judicial system.
 
#24 ·
heres what its like in phoenix


Drag Racing
Phoenix Street Drag Racing Attorney
Charged in Maricopa County for Illegal Racing or Exhibition of Speed?
Free consultation: 480-600-4DUI (4384)
Arizona law forbids racing on streets or highways, and Phoenix area law enforcement officers have a low threshold for what constitutes racing, including take-offs from stoplights.

If you have been charged with illegal racing in Maricopa County, contact Phoenix street drag racing attorney Cheryl A. Brown. I handle all Arizona traffic violations, and have defended a number of clients charged with racing.

Arizona 's Racing Statute (28-708)
A person shall not drive a vehicle or participate in any manner in a race, speed competition or contest, drag race or acceleration contest, test of physical endurance or exhibition of speed or acceleration or for the purpose of making a speed record on a street or highway.

Penalties for conviction of street racing (first offense) include:

Possible jail time and/or probation
A fine of around $250 or more
Suspension of your license for a period determined by the judge, up to 90 days
Community service
A second offense within 24 months can result in a Class 6 felony:

Jail time, no probation
A fine around $500, or more
Revocation of your license
Racing counts as 8 points against your license. Accumulation of 8 points in one year results in Traffic Survival School, and 13 or more points can result in additional license suspension.

If drag racing leads to a catastrophic auto accident or fatal accident, you will be charged with a felony crime and open yourself to liability in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.

For more information about the penalties for drag racing and the likely outcome in your case, contact me for a free consultation at my Glendale or Tempe offices. I may be able to negotiate a plea to a speeding offense, or get your case dismissed or reduced depending on the circumstances of your arrest. I will fight for the minimum consequences and impact on your life.
 
#26 ·
There is a saying in law that says, "hard cases make bad laws". Because of douchebag, moronic drivers who for whatever reason, make it normal business to endanger public safety by racing at ridiculous speeds, the rest of the public has to pay for just normal speeding. Chalk this up to the Fast and Furious crowd. I wish these kinds of people would use their head for something more than a place to hang their hat. Seriously, some of the laws I have read here are way too inclusive under the banner of street racing.

I am also concerned that those of us with Si's for example, could be ticketed with "guilt by association". As was noted, if some moron wants to race me and I am in the vicinity of his or her car, I could be stopped as well even though I am minding my own business.

I wonder if the police are selective in their enforcement, only ticketing fast looking cars, or will they cite anyone? The reason I am asking is because every morning, there are women next to me in big SUV's that floor their vehicles at every stoplight. Maybe they are late or work or maybe they drive that way all the time, but from appearances, it would look like they are trying to race me even though they may just be in a hurry.

I am just waiting for the day in Ontario when some guy in a Smart Car gets pulled over for "street racing". I think my road/racing bicycle could probably out accelerate one.
 
#27 ·
I was arrested for street racing, because me and a buddy were doing 40 over with me following, in any other circumstance it would have been a speeding ticket but because there were two cars its "street racing". It just so happined we were on our way to hockey just running a little late, no intension of racing..he drives a damn truck! Anyways we have a court date because in canada its criminal. For the sake of your lisence never let somone suck you in its definatley not worth it in any circumstance.
 
#33 ·
lol that would be sweet especially if though privileges included many other things...i think people would try and be better drivers if this was an option

reward people for doing good...ya but our government and or culture doing understand that...they would rather get lucky and pass the drivers test and then drive like a dumbass and cause accidents doing stupid things...in euro countries isnt it hard to get a driver license???