Atlanta Police Handle Stunt Driving Events the Day After Shelter in Place is Lifted

Atlanta Police Car

Atlanta, Ga. - Several Metro Atlanta cities had reports of different stunt driving events over the weekend. Reports from the Mall West End, the I-285 tunnel, the Varsity location on Spring Street, and the North DeKalb Mall of street racing and burnouts resulted in multiple arrests.

All of these events occurred the day after the Shelter in Place Order was lifted in Georgia. Videos of these events have been circulating all over social media. Officer Steve Avery released the following statement regarding the event at the Mall West End:

“Investigators are working to review video and identify any of the participants in order to seek out warrants for their arrest,” he said. “Additionally, officers will continue to monitor the area with increased patrols.”

As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I often remind my readers that I not only specialize in DUI in Georgia but all related offenses. Situations like these involve a great deal of serious traffic violations that can have serious circumstances if convicted. In today's post, I will outline the criminal offense of racing.

Racing in Georgia

The Georgia Code defines racing in Georgia in O.C.G.A. §40-6-186 as:

Georgia law prohibits any vehicle on a highway of this state from participating in any race, speed competition or contest, drag race or acceleration contest, test of physical endurance, exhibition of speed or acceleration, or for the purpose of making a speed record.

By law, the term racing is defined as the use of one or more vehicles in an attempt to out-gain, outdistance, or prevent another vehicle from passing, to arrive at a given destination ahead of another vehicle or vehicles, or to test the physical stamina or endurance of drivers over long-distance driving routes.

Drag racing is also legally defined as the operation of two or more vehicles from a point side by side at accelerated speeds in a competitive attempt to outdistance each other or the operation of one or more vehicles over a common selected course from the same point to the same point for the purpose of comparing the relative speeds or power of acceleration of such vehicle or vehicles within a certain distance or time limit.

If convicted of racing, the penalties can include any punishments allowed under the misdemeanor sentencing statute. These punishments range from fines of $1000 plus court costs, license suspension, community service, jail time, probation to more.

Practice Note

If the investigators are able to identify any of the drivers in the videos, they will be facing some very serious charges. If arrested, call our offices now.