[Chancey]

What are the laws like where you live? Street racing here is comparable to drunk driving when it comes to the law, and the penalties are draconian:

• An immediate seven-day licence suspension and seven-day vehicle impoundment at roadside when a police officer has reasonable and probable grounds to believe the offence was committed

If convicted:

• Fines from $2,000 to $10,000
• Courts can impose a driver licence suspension of up to 10 years for a second conviction within 10 years
• The accumulation of six demerit points, a maximum licence suspension of two years for a first conviction and a maximum six months in jail.

Yes; you read that right. They suspend your license and take your car right then and there for 7 days. No judge, no jury, no day in court. Roadside justice.

And a minimum 1 year ban on driving Canada wide upon conviction. No thanks.

If I even sense someone wants to race me at a light I just accelerate slowly and let them go.

Be safe and good luck.

Same here. Its just not worth it anymore.

 

[Tally Ho]

Nah man those days are behind me. I dont want to ruin my license/insurance and most of all hurt someone.

Same here. Don't need to go to jail and get my car impounded. I turned 63 yesterday and have made it this far without jail time. Speeding tickets aren't cheap anymore, either. My first ticket was a result of street racing in 1974 (69 Charger R/T). Cost me $25 or half a week's salary from my part time job.

 

[vrwebster]

Dumb post.

 

[Hossfly]

Lol
Just damm Webster.

 

[Xylander]

Two quick points:

The faster your car is, the less "action" you get from randoms on the street. Impromptu street racing is usually initiated by someone who has an obvious advantage. In the 2 years I owned my Hellcat, the only person who ever openly challenged me on the road was a McLaren 720S. I didn't reciprocate as we were in a heavily congested area of town. However, when you drive cars like ours, most people (Mustangs, Camaros included) are smart enough to kinda roll their windows up and put their head down as you go by.The people who do try and goad a run out of you aren't looking to win, they just want to see and hear a Hellcat rip past them for YouTube clicks.

As for street racing penalties, all states are different. Florida has one of the most severe penalties on the books. We have a law titled, "Street Racing on Highways." This law specifically covers racing on major roadways and has some of the country's harshest penalties if you get convicted. For a first offense, there's a mandatory year loss of license. Then, there's judge's discretionary fines of up to $3,000 and 30 days in jail. It's a class II misdemeanor which will go on your permanent criminal record. Any subsequent convictions can result up to a maximum of $10,000 in fines, permanent loss of license, and extended prison sentences. Also keep in mind that you need a lawyer to defend yourself in criminal court, so it costs $2,500-$3,000 for misdemeanor representation with most attorneys.

The criteria for "street racing" is also very broad. The act of goading someone into a race, which the law calls "exhibition of power or speed" qualified for a street racing charge. Meaning, revving at another driver at a light, doing burnouts, donuts, drifting all qualify even if the other person doesn't participate. That being said, most cases get plead down to careless or reckless driving (civil infractions) as lawyers can relatively easily defeat the racing charge as there's quite a few technicalities that have to be met for the charge to stick, unless of course you get caught no questions asked drag racing down the street.

 

[NoScat]

I am not advocating unsafe or dangerous activities here but I must ask...

Has the impromptu Street Race scene died? Perhaps it is fear in the hearts and minds of all who cross paths with the Hellcat.

In almost two months of daily driving. On I-10 over fifty miles per day round trip. I've had one brave soul take a shot at me. A Subaru WRX.... His nitrous didn't help him .

I pass Mustangs, most have young females driving. I pass Camaros, guess they could be smart enough to know better. I pass Corvettes, Porsches, Ferraris and so on. Nope...

Sure I could head down to Military Drive for the Sunday night cruise and find like minded folks. Or head to one of the local drag strips. But what happened to laying them on the table here and now?

I've had a few fast cars in the past and I swear that I couldn't make a mile before a challenge was issued.

Is it just me or is it the same in your neck of the woods?

You in San Antonio? Southwest Military from 90 to the furthest gate that is NEVER open is a great place to mash it. No entry or exits so you can be sure the path is clear. Fastest I’ve ever gone and there was a graduation in progress….oops.

 

[NoScat]

Two quick points:

The faster your car is, the less "action" you get from randoms on the street. Impromptu street racing is usually initiated by someone who has an obvious advantage. In the 2 years I owned my Hellcat, the only person who ever openly challenged me on the road was a McLaren 720S. I didn't reciprocate as we were in a heavily congested area of town. However, when you drive cars like ours, most people (Mustangs, Camaros included) are smart enough to kinda roll their windows up and put their head down as you go by.The people who do try and goad a run out of you aren't looking to win, they just want to see and hear a Hellcat rip past them for YouTube clicks.

As for street racing penalties, all states are different. Florida has one of the most severe penalties on the books. We have a law titled, "Street Racing on Highways." This law specifically covers racing on major roadways and has some of the country's harshest penalties if you get convicted. For a first offense, there's a mandatory year loss of license. Then, there's judge's discretionary fines of up to $3,000 and 30 days in jail. It's a class II misdemeanor which will go on your permanent criminal record. Any subsequent convictions can result up to a maximum of $10,000 in fines, permanent loss of license, and extended prison sentences. Also keep in mind that you need a lawyer to defend yourself in criminal court, so it costs $2,500-$3,000 for misdemeanor representation with most attorneys.

The criteria for "street racing" is also very broad. The act of goading someone into a race, which the law calls "exhibition of power or speed" qualified for a street racing charge. Meaning, revving at another driver at a light, doing burnouts, donuts, drifting all qualify even if the other person doesn't participate. That being said, most cases get plead down to careless or reckless driving (civil infractions) as lawyers can relatively easily defeat the racing charge as there's quite a few technicalities that have to be met for the charge to stick, unless of course you get caught no questions asked drag racing down the street.

My Dodge Dart against a Viper in 1997. Cop going the other way but damn it was loud. We both got the same must appear tickets. Driver engaged in a speed contest I believe.

 

[vrwebster]

I only wish the idiot drivers die and not innocent bystanders.

 

[PurrKitty]

There is a time and place. Just seems those times are farther apart and the places getting to much attention so now it seems just take it to a track and don’t worry about it.

 

[PurrKitty]

Two quick points:

The faster your car is, the less "action" you get from randoms on the street. Impromptu street racing is usually initiated by someone who has an obvious advantage. In the 2 years I owned my Hellcat, the only person who ever openly challenged me on the road was a McLaren 720S. I didn't reciprocate as we were in a heavily congested area of town. However, when you drive cars like ours, most people (Mustangs, Camaros included) are smart enough to kinda roll their windows up and put their head down as you go by.The people who do try and goad a run out of you aren't looking to win, they just want to see and hear a Hellcat rip past them for YouTube clicks.

As for street racing penalties, all states are different. Florida has one of the most severe penalties on the books. We have a law titled, "Street Racing on Highways." This law specifically covers racing on major roadways and has some of the country's harshest penalties if you get convicted. For a first offense, there's a mandatory year loss of license. Then, there's judge's discretionary fines of up to $3,000 and 30 days in jail. It's a class II misdemeanor which will go on your permanent criminal record. Any subsequent convictions can result up to a maximum of $10,000 in fines, permanent loss of license, and extended prison sentences. Also keep in mind that you need a lawyer to defend yourself in criminal court, so it costs $2,500-$3,000 for misdemeanor representation with most attorneys.

The criteria for "street racing" is also very broad. The act of goading someone into a race, which the law calls "exhibition of power or speed" qualified for a street racing charge. Meaning, revving at another driver at a light, doing burnouts, donuts, drifting all qualify even if the other person doesn't participate. That being said, most cases get plead down to careless or reckless driving (civil infractions) as lawyers can relatively easily defeat the racing charge as there's quite a few technicalities that have to be met for the charge to stick, unless of course you get caught no questions asked drag racing down the street.

You have to make one quick point, much less two. Most won’t read more than a sentence or two much less 3+ paragraphs. Maybe you made a good point? Most will never know. I won’t

 

[Xylander]

You have to make one quick point, much less two. Most won’t read more than a sentence or two much less 3+ paragraphs. Maybe you made a good point? Most will never know. I won’t

 

[PurrKitty]

View attachment 596775

see? That was succinct and was actually read. You are learning

 

[SickToo]

“Also keep in mind that you need a lawyer to defend yourself in criminal court, so it costs $2,500-$3,000 for misdemeanor representation with most attorneys.” Xyzlander

Only a total dumb ass retains a paid lawyer for a misdemeanor case that he can not beat

 

[Linda's Hell Cat]

You in San Antonio? Southwest Military from 90 to the furthest gate that is NEVER open is a great place to mash it. No entry or exits so you can be sure the path is clear. Fastest I’ve ever gone and there was a graduation in progress….oops.

I have not seen @toekneethetiger post up for a long time. I miss him posting, he was alot of fun and had many good posts about him,his family and his Hellcat!

Linda

 

[Trizzle]

Ive only run into one camaro that wanted to have some fun. Every now and then ill drop a gear and gove it some gas next to another performance car. I dont take it too serious on the highway unless i know the road and there arent other cars around. Most of the fun is saved for the strip.

 

[Xylander]

Only a total dumb ass retains a paid lawyer for a misdemeanor case that he can not beat

Over 90% of racing charges are beaten in the state of Florida as they're commonly over-charged or incorrectly levied without the specific evidence required. As I mentioned, it pays to have a lawyer because the law stipulates that even if you plead down the penalty, if you are convicted or plea guilty, it's a mandatory loss of license for a year. Fun fact though, over 80% of cases that make it to trial result in convictions. So, unless a person knows how to navigate the court system, it pays to have a lawyer in a racing charge case.

 

[SickToo]

Only a dumb ass takes a case he can not beat to the box

A public defender can get me the same deal that a paid lawyer can if I’m gonna plead out

Especially to a misdemeanor

Paid lawyers get rich off people who have more money than brains

If you get caught engaging in a speed contest or going over 105 mph yer burnt

Paid lawyer isn’t gonna make any difference

 

[toekneethetiger]

You in San Antonio? Southwest Military from 90 to the furthest gate that is NEVER open is a great place to mash it. No entry or exits so you can be sure the path is clear. Fastest I’ve ever gone and there was a graduation in progress….oops.

Yes Sir, North of town! It's been a few years but I'll be out trolling to see what's new on the scene soon enough. I bet the graduates didn't mind that send off.

 

[Tree]

Too SMART to race.
My $.02

 

[Xylander]

Only a dumb ass takes a case he can not beat to the box

A public defender can get me the same deal that a paid lawyer can if I’m gonna plead out

Especially to a misdemeanor

Paid lawyers get rich off people who have more money than brains

If you get caught engaging in a speed contest or going over 105 mph yer burnt

Paid lawyer isn’t gonna make any difference

Again, the law in FL lists a number of specific criteria for a conviction of street racing to stick. The cop has to have first-hand knowledge of the incident (or a video on social media). The event has to take place on a declared highway. Believe it or not, you can't get a street racing on highways ticket if the event takes place on a non-highway labeled street. That's a separate citation type. The cited individual must have been observed to display a contest for speed, or otherwise exhibit performance that can be perceived as such.

That's where all the technicalities come into play. The officer may or may not have seen an actual street race, but the charge they file calls for a mandatory 1 year loss of license if convicted or plead guilty, or even plead down. That's why you need a lawyer in this case. If you go in and plea no contest, but to a lesser charge, the mandatory year loss of license still sticks. So, you need legal advice to navigate through that. In my case that I outlined a long time ago in this thread, I got off scott free, but I had to have the prosecutor dismiss the misdemeanor charge and refile it as a civil infraction in order to rescind the 1 year suspended license issue. Luckily, I handled this myself without a lawyer at the time of arraignment. Had they not worked with me there, I'd have plead not guilty and hired a lawyer. Prior to the arraignment, I paid for a 1-hour legal consult and he told me what to say/ask for. That really helped a lot.