Drag Racing in Florida

Earlier this month, the South Florida SunSentinel reported on the death of a driver who, according to police, got caught up in a high-speed street race. People who were working in the area who heard the crash said it sounded like an explosion and shook building walls, building walls, according to the news report. Just last fall, the SunSentinel reported on another crash with serious injuries that was attributed to a car race. The driver involved in that crash was driving at more than twice the speed limit (85 mph in a 45 mph zone). As these news reports make clear, injuries resulting from unfortunate chance encounters with racing drivers can be severe, and cause death. If you or a loved one is involved in a crash with a car racing driver in Florida, it is important to consult with an experienced car accident lawyer to understand your legal remedies and rights.

Is Car Racing Illegal Under Florida Law?

Florida law has a specific provision that prohibits racing on Florida’s highways. Under this law, racing and drag racing are illegal. Also illegal are participating or coordinating facilitating or collecting money for races, and being a willing passenger or other purposeful participant in any race. Violators are subject to penalties that include fines and revocation of driver’s licenses. The law allows a police officer who has probable cause to suspect a violation of this law enter and order to impound or immobilize a vehicle.

Florida law also makes it illegal to be a spectator to a drag race. Spectators are people who are purposefully present at a drag race, and their status as spectators may be determined by factors such as their relationship to the racers and whether they are gambling on the race.

What is Illegal “Drag Racing” Under Florida Law?

“Drag racing” has a specific definition under Florida law. Drag racing is defined as:

two vehicles operating side by side, starting at a point and moving at accelerating speeds in a competitive effort to outdistance one other, or
one or more motor vehicles moving over a common course, from point to the point, and comparing their relative speeds or power of acceleration a certain distance or time limit.

What is Illegal “Racing” Under Florida Law?

“Racing” has its own definition, as distinguished from “drag racing,” under Florida law. Racing means using one or more motor vehicles in a competition that started by way of a challenge to demonstrate one vehicle’s superiority, and the acceptance of (or a competitive response to) that challenge. The race can be spontaneous or made through a prior arrangement or agreement. A race may involve:

the racers’ attempts to outgain or outdistance one another’s vehicles
racers’ attempts to prevent other motor vehicles from passing,
racers’ efforts to arrive at a given destination ahead of another motor vehicle or motor vehicles, or
racers’ testing physical stamina or endurance over long-distance driving routes.

For more information about car racing or drag racing in Florida, or if you have been injured in an accident involving car racing or drag racing, contact an experienced Fort Pierce car accident lawyer serving St. Lucie & Martin County at Sholtes Law, PLLC.

Resource:

sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/miramar/fl-ne-miramar-street-race-fatal-20200206-j2q53p5skff5tehlyfbo6cfjkm-story.html

sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/pompano-beach/fl-ne-street-racing-death-20191003-quqgozaqljd6vbjauf6fluznce-story.html

https://www.saintlucielawyer.com/indicators-of-distracted-driving-in-fort-pierce/