SAN DIEGO — There is a new effort to crack down on street racing, sideshows and takeovers.
State lawmakers and advocates are supporting a new bill that would increase consequences even for spectators. Assembly Bill 74 seeks to hold a broader spectrum of people accountable including those who attend such events.
“A lot of people are dying, a lot of people are going to jail," said Lili Trujillo Puckett, founder of Speed Racing Kills.
Trijullo Puckett spends most of her days inside schools throughout southern California helping predominantly high school students learn about the dangers of street racing and sideshows.
“We got to mentor our future drivers before they even get out," she says.
Trujillo Puckett lost her 16-year-old daughter Valentina in a street racing crash in 2013. She hopes new legislation can prevent other tragedies from happening.
“Hopefully AB 74 passes, that’s going to help law enforcement to enforce more with the money that they have," said Trijullo Puckett.
AB74 was introduced by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi. It would help law enforcement enforce stricter laws against offenders.
“There seems to be a sense among law enforcement that existing law is not enough. This measure would expand the tools that law enforcement has," said legal analyst Dan Eaton.
Under the law, a person caught racing or attending any events may have their driver’s license suspended for 90 days to 6 months. It could also allow a court to have the performing vehicle impounded for up to a month.
The bill calls for criminal charges against drivers that can range from misdemeanors to felonies, which could then lead to lengthy prison sentences.
“You’re looking at the potential loss of your license... potential forfeiture of your vehicle and potentially jail time," said Eaton.
Eaton says the bill is designed to stop street sideshows, takeovers, and street racing which continues to be a major problem across the state.
“It would also increase the penalties for all participants whether they’re actually involved in driving or even attending these events. You are potentially eliminating the spectacle of these events which is the very reason they’re organized in the first place," he added.
Currently, the bill is in committee, but lawmakers say it will likely be reintroduced next year. It must pass the Assembly Transportation Committee in January. It needs a majority vote of the committee which is 8 votes.
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