At 7 p.m. on Jan. 27 five people were arrested on Main Street for street racing. Three cars were seized after the incident and fines were issued to the offenders. In October, a 77-year-old woman was killed in a street racing accident. In total, over 60 cars were seized last year alone due to street racing violations. Street racing has become an epidemic in the city, meaning local lawmakers need to implement stricter punishments to ensure safety. One of these innovative ideas is a new ordinance allowing for seized vehicles to be crushed.
As defined by Law Insider, street racing is where two or more vehicles race one another on a public road. The recent increase in street racing incidents has led lawmakers to begin to think of ways to help resolve the issue. There have been many solutions to street racing in the past, such as the implementation of speed bumps, narrower streets and more green spaces. However, one solution has caught the eye of Kentucky lawmakers.
“One innovative approach that some other states are taking are not only are they confiscating cars, but when they confiscate cars, they crush them,” Mayor Craig Greenburg said. New legislation requiring car crushing in Kentucky, is a necessary step to reducing the number of violent street racing incidents. In Kentucky, many lawmakers and Mayor Greenburg stand behind new legislation that would allow for a similar process in the state.
While street racers spend their time in jail or pay fees for breaking the law, their cars currently sit in an impound lot for up to six months then can be returned, which allows easy accessibility to race illegally again. The current ordinance allows for confiscation of vehicles and, on the first offence, an $1,000 fine will be imposed. After a second offense, the fine will be doubled to $2,000. Jail time varies up to 30 days regardless of the number of offences. 30 days in jail or a fine does not appear to be deterring Louisville citizens, as in the last few months the number of street racing incidents has not decreased and it is evident that harsher legislation is in order. Opponents of the legislation believe that street racing legislation is too extreme and does not help address the root of the problem.
“I’ve had people who’s lives are destroyed by this,” said attorney Ben Potash in an interview with WHAS11. Potash points out that when a vehicle is confiscated, it removes the owner’s ability to get to work, the grocery store and other necessities and finds that the current legislation is too harsh. If the vehicle were to be crushed, it would add another layer of difficulty for the perpetrator.
While the perpetrator will have to deal with these issues, it is reasonable to conclude that this punishment fits the bill. Innocent people are killed and families are destroyed by street racing. The support for new legislation is needed to help save lives.
To help change public policy, reach out to your Metro Council representative to voice support for new street racing ordinances. It is important that as a community, Louisville comes together to pass this new ordinance to help restrict street racing. This will not only protect loved ones but also the drivers involved.
