Drag Racing Ticket
First, law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges take drag racing seriously on Florida roadways. Furthermore, the prohibition against drag racing is all about public safety, and it’s addressed by Florida Statute 316.191. In short, drag racing involves operating two motor vehicles side by side in a competitive attempt for one to go faster than the other. Not to mention, it happens over a specified distance on a selected course, roadway, or parking lot. For instance, this typically occurs on a straight quarter of a mile. Hence, road racing often leads to serious injuries or fatalities. As well as, sometimes bystanders or passengers get killed in road racing crashes.
Drag Racing Charges
To begin with, there are four different ways that a driver, motorcyclist, or another person can receive a drag racing ticket. So, here are the types of conduct that the statute addresses:
- Driving a motor vehicle in a race, drag race, or speed competition.
- Participating, coordinating, or facilitating drag racing.
- Knowingly riding as a passenger in a drag race.
- Interfering with traffic for purposes of a drag race.
Not to mention, it’s even against the law in Florida to watch a drag race somewhere other than on a licensed track or drag strip.
Defenses
To start with, Florida’s drag racing statute is vague and subjective. So, issues of statutory interpretation open up a variety of defenses. Hence, here are just a few of them:
- Police didn’t witness the alleged race.
- Lack of proof of the intent to compete.
- The speed of the vehicles wasn’t consistent with any type of race.
- The driver of one car intended to drag or street race, but the driver of the other car had no such intention.
- There simply was no race of any kind.
Drag Racing Penalties
At any rate, with public safety considerations, Florida takes a very dim view of anybody who directly or indirectly participates in drag racing. Thus, he or she is likely to receive a first-degree misdemeanor. So, if convicted on the first charge of drag racing or street racing, here is what a person is looking at:
- Up to 364 days in jail.
- A fine of between $500 and $1,000.
- A mandatory one-year driver’s license revocation, even if adjudication of the offense is withheld.
- Vehicle impoundment for up to 30 days.
- Possible vehicle forfeiture.
- A permanent criminal record.
As a matter of fact, a drag racing conviction will increase your car insurance premiums drastically for at least 30 months. So, if ticketed or arrested for drag racing, we strongly recommend that you arrange for a free consultation and case review with a Tampa Traffic Ticket Attorney from our offices right away. Because there are two sides to every story. And we’re going to listen closely to your side. Then, we’ll advise you on how the best approach to your charge.
CONTACT YOUR FLORIDA CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS
Let RHINO Lawyers’ former State Attorney and Prosecutor start helping YOU immediately by giving you free advice regarding the facts of your case.
So, get YOUR Free Case Analysis now by texting us, chatting with us online, completing the form below, or by calling 844.246.1238.
