DeKalb County Panel Planned to Address Street Racing Issue

DeKalb County Courthouse

DeKalb County, Ga. – As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I handle all serious traffic crimes – not just DUI in Georgia. This includes crimes such as vehicular homicide and drag racing.

I've written many times over the past six months regarding the epidemic of drag racing in and around the City of Atlanta. This includes DeKalb County. The panel has been set by Commissioner Larry Johnson and will be live-streamed on Facebook.

In today's post, I will focus on the law behind the offense of street racing so as to provide more clarification.

Street Racing in Georgia

O.C.G.A. § 40-6-186 of the Georgia Code defines the offense of street racing in Georgia 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.

Racing is legally 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.

Furthermore, drag racing is 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. A racing conviction can also lead to the suspension of your Georgia Driver's License.

Practice Note

Many municipalities have passed raising the penalties for a street racing conviction including 6 months of jail time for violators.

If you have been arrested for a serious traffic crime, call our offices today.