Multiple law enforcement departments joined forces to target an on-going problem in the Tampa Bay area: street racing.
How did six agencies join forces to issue 32 arrests and 165 traffic citations? And what new laws led to higher fines and consequences for those charged?
457 Traffic Stops on First Day of New Street Racing Laws
On July 1, 2024, Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Pinellas Park police departments and the Hillsborough and Pinellas County sheriff’s offices launched Operation Keep Our Streets.
Operation Keep Our Streets aimed to crackdown on the amount of street racing taking place around the Tampa Bay area. The initiative focused on two areas where street racing commonly takes place, the Gandy Bridge and the Courtney Campbell Causeway. In the past, drivers have been arrested on both of these roadways for racing at speeds over 100 mph, per reporting by the Tampa Bay Times.
During the first day of the crackdown, police conducted 457 traffic stops for unsafe driving behaviors and issued over one hundred citations and charges. The day resulted in:
- 32 Arrests (which included fleeing to elude police, street racing, and DUI charges)
- 18 Criminal Citations
- 162 Traffic Citations
- 295 Traffic Warnings
The 457 traffic stop took place on the same day that new laws on street racing, known as Senate Bill 1764, went into place.
Senate Bill 1764 was signed into law in May and went into effect on July 1, 2024. The bill aims to make streets safer by issuing stricter penalties for illegal racing, stunt driving, and street takeovers.
Penalties Under New Street Racing Laws
The new street racing laws increased fines and charges and issued new consequences. The new laws:
- Increased the maximum fine from $1,000 to $2,000 for people who participate in street racing.
- Increased the charge from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony charge for second offenses for people who participate in street racing. The charge is punishable by up to five years in prison and fines ranging from $2,500 to $4,000.
- Makes it a second-degree felony for multiple street racing charges within five years and allows for a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
- Increased the fine of being a spectator at a street racing event from $65 to $400.
Individuals involved with street racing may also be subject to license suspensions that go up to four years, depending on the number of offenses.
Related: Misdemeanor vs Felony: What’s the Difference?
Penalties Under New Street Takeover Laws
The new bill also aims to curb street takeover incidents.
A street takeover is defined by Florida Statute 316.191 as the “taking over of a portion of a highway, roadway, or parking lot by blocking or impeding the regular flow of traffic to perform a race, drag race, burnout, doughnut, drifting, wheelie, or other stunt driving.”
The new laws target coordinated events where ten or more vehicles are involved. The laws include:
- Fines of up to $2,000 for people who participate in a street takeover.
- A third-degree felony charge for second offenses for people who participate in a street takeover. The charge is punishable by up to five years in prison and fines ranging from $2,500 to $4,000.
- A third-degree felony charge punishable by up to five years in prison and a $4,000 fine for person to knowingly block emergency vehicles during a street takeover.
Street Racing Stories from Around the Bay
Roadway incidents can lead to both criminal charges and potential personal injury lawsuits. While new laws have increased the fines and punishment for street racing and takeovers, the acts have already led to serious consequences in the past.
Just a few weeks ago, in June 2024, we covered a story about a woman who died during a street race in Tampa. The driver who struck the vehicle the woman was riding in has been charged with vehicular homicide and unlawful racing on a highway. The man faces up to 15 years in prison, 15 years of probation, and a $10,000 fine.
In 2023, we covered a story about a boy killed during a street racing incident in St. Petersburg. The boy’s father brought him to watch a street race that involved motorcycles. The boy attempted to cross the street during one of the races and was hit by an oncoming motorcycle.
In that case, the driver was charged with vehicular homicide, culpable negligence manslaughter, and reckless driving causing serious bodily harm. The motorcycle owner was charged with culpable negligence manslaughter and given a citation for participating in a street race as a spectator, and the father was charged with child neglect and cited for being a spectator at a street race.
Related: If You’re Arrested for a Crime, Immediately Take These 6 Steps
Get Trusted Legal Advice
Street racing and street takeovers are illegal and can lead to serious criminal charges and consequences. If you have been arrested or charged with highway crimes, take it seriously. Talk to a criminal defense attorney with experience in motor vehicle charges right away.
Discuss the details of your case. Schedule a consultation with criminal defense attorney TJ Grimaldi today. All consultations are free. Get insights about your case and charges. Request your consultation or call 813-226-1023 now.
TJ Grimaldi joined McIntyre in 2011. McIntyre recruited TJ to create the divisions of personal injury and family law, as well as to expand the existing criminal defense practice at the firm. During TJ’s tenure at McIntyre, he has helped oversee and grow these practice areas. He continues to practice in these divisions while also expanding his own practice areas to include estate planning and immigration law. TJ is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Florida and the United States District Court for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida.
