Atlanta Still Attempting a Solution to Street Racing Issue

Atlanta Municipal Court

Atlanta, Ga. – Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is attempting to crackdown on the street racing that is continuing to happen within the City of Atlanta.

Atlanta, however, is not the only major city to be seeing this trend. It is also happening in other large cities such as LA and Dallas. The Atlanta Police Department recently released a statement: “Don't risk your freedom or someone else's life.”

Recently, the City of Atlanta increased the penalties associated with being charged with racing including some mandatory jail time. And as an Atlanta DUI Lawyer, I will outline the law behind the offense of racing in today's post.

Racing

O.C.G.A. §40-6-186 defines the offense of racing as:

Georgia law prohibits any vehicle on a highway of this state from participating in any race, speed competition or contest, drag race or acceleration contest, test of physical endurance, exhibition of speed or acceleration, or for the purpose of making a speed record.

By law, the term racing is defined as the use of one or more vehicles in an attempt to out-gain, outdistance, or prevent another vehicle from passing, to arrive at a given destination ahead of another vehicle or vehicles, or to test the physical stamina or endurance of drivers over long-distance driving routes.

Drag racing is also legally defined as the operation of two or more vehicles from a point side by side at accelerated speeds in a competitive attempt to outdistance each other or the operation of one or more vehicles over a common selected course from the same point to the same point for the purpose of comparing the relative speeds or power of acceleration of such vehicle or vehicles within a certain distance or time limit.

If convicted of racing, the penalties can include any punishments allowed under the misdemeanor sentencing statute. These punishments range from fines of $1000 plus court costs, license suspension, community service, jail-time, probation to more.

Practice Note

Racing and reckless driving charges are often accompanied with charges of DUI in Atlanta. If you have been arrested or cited in connection with a DUI or an incident of reckless driving, call our offices now.