May 8, 2023 Group Watch: AL Lawmakers Putting the Brakes on Street Racing
The Alabama Senate gave final approval to a bill intended to crack down on street racing and other dangerous exhibition driving, legislation that comes in response to incidents resulting in injuries and deaths. The bill sets up criminal penalties for drivers who take part in speed contests or perform burnouts, donuts and other reckless driving maneuvers. It prohibits those activities on public roads, in parking lots or on private property without the permission of the property owner. Mayors of Alabama’s 10 largest cities said legislation to help stop dangerous driving exhibitions was one of their top priorities for state lawmakers. Senator Rodger Smitherman sponsored the bill in the Senate, which passed by a vote of 32-0. The bill now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey, who is expected to sign the measure. The law would go into effect three months following her signature.
