City to Pursue Tougher Laws on Street Racing
Despite concerns about the harshness of the proposal, the Los Angeles City Council agreed Friday to pursue new laws that would allow police to fine spectators at illegal drag races and impound the cars for up to six months.
Councilmen Hal Bernson and Alex Padilla said street racing has become a serious problem in their north San Fernando Valley districts and that they believe strong measures are necessary to protect the public.
Eight young people have died in the last year in accidents involving illegal street racing or intentional speeding in the San Fernando and Antelope valleys.
“This is something strong enough that it will deter people from doing these things,” Bernson said. “They endanger life and property.”
Currently, the police can impound cars for 30 days and must find other violations, such as trespassing, to cite people who gather to watch the races on city streets.
The council voted to ask the city attorney’s office to draft an ordinance that would allow the police to issue citations to spectators and to impound cars.
Council members Jackie Goldberg and Nate Holden objected to the measure, with Goldberg saying the penalty is too harsh.
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