Evo Street Racers: Anti-Street Racing Legislation

Elk Grove To Consider Stiff New Street Racing Laws

Source: News 10
Author: Jason Kobely
Date: June 14, 2006

Elk Grove city leaders are looking into a new proposal that could impose stiff penalties against drivers as well as spectators of illegal street races.

The plan was presented at Wednesday's Elk Grove City Council meeting by Rebecca Davis, the mother of a Laguna Creek High School student killed in a speeding crash two years ago.

Under the proposal, drivers would face a $1,500 fine, a one-year drivers' license suspension, two points against their driving records and a 30-day impound of their vehicles. A second violation would force the driver to forfeit his or her car. The plan would also make spectators at illegal street races subject to a $1,000 fine.

"It's the mentality that these kids have," Davis said. "They are going to go out and have fun and try to push their car. They want to be cool and look cool in their car and that's why these kids are crashing and dying."

Since her son Nick's death in August 2004, Davis has backed several state and local measures to crackdown on speeding and illegal street racing.

"Everyday, everytime I hear an accident or a siren, I think, oh no, is it another one?" Davis said. "It's hard because I miss Nick, but it's also hard because I know what that mom feels at that moment when they get the knock on the door. I know what that feels like and I want it to stop."

The proposal would also institute educational programs against the dangers of teen speeding and racing. Davis said similar measures have been enacted in Southern California communities, including San Diego County, Vista and Encinitas.

According to San Diego statistics, the new law made an impact there, cutting the number of street racing citations from 155 in 2002 to just 60 after the measure was instituted in 2003.

Elk Grove mayor Rick Soares recommended city attorneys look over the proposal for further council discussion.