Illegal Street Racing
Spring break is over, now on to summer, and teens are out and about on Florida’s roadways and highways. I stumbled across an article about law enforcement agencies clamping down on street racing, and hopefully an eventual end to this sometimes deadly pastime.
U.S. 27 is the most popular drag strip in Broward County, as it’s an extremely long stretch of road that is dark and most times desolate. It is also the highway that tractor trailer drivers use regularly to travel through the State as it runs from Miami to Tampa. Effective October 1, 2010 the State Legislature revised the “Unlawful race” law to toughen penalties for repeat offenders. Street racing was already a first-degree misdemeanor, but now racers are fined at least $1,000 for a second violation and $2,000 to $5,000 for three or more. The Broward County’s Sheriff’s have also stepped up patrols on U.S. 27, which is the highway that is frequently used to race between Pembroke Pines and Southwest Ranches. It seems that this revision may have worked somewhat. Arresting Officers will tell you that these racers seem shocked when they are pulled over, handcuffed, they are also even more surprised to know that they are actually going to jail and their car is being impounded. Residents in the neighborhoods off U.S. 27 are the ones that inform the cops, as the noise from these “souped up” or customized cars and motorcycles can be intolerable.
Last year 3 teens were killed and four others injured, when a tractor trailer rear ended two vehicles. Florida Highway Patrol states that witnesses claimed the two cars were standing still alongside each other just after midnight; the tractor trailer driver did not see the cars until it was too late. The drivers of the two vehicles stated that they were not racing, but that they were having car problems. This accident is still under investigation. This type of illegal street racing attracts both driving enthusiasts and spectators but can prove to be a dangerous sport for all. For instance, you can be a spectator at one of these races and a driver may lose control of his vehicle and crash near or into the on looking spectators, or even an oncoming vehicle, causing injury to you or others in the crowd. What do you do in a situation like that? Would you be able to file claim? You should always contact an experienced attorney to seek legal counsel.
Should you be a victim of an accident contact us online or call at 954 431-8100 or 305 624-9186 to set up a FREE consultation.
