STREET RACERS FACE BIG PENALTIES

Scene from 2 Fast 2 Furious © Universal Pictures

STREET RACERS FACE BIG PENALTIES This one comes courtesy of LA Car contributing editor Doug Stokes: Stiffer penalties have been quietly for some street racers. More specifically, the law, which went into effect last January, adds a mandatory 40 hours of community service to a street racing conviction. Violators already face up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine and a driver license suspension of up to six months, reports Rodney Tanaka of the San Gabriel Tribune. According to Tanaka, the Industry City Council approved an ordinance earlier last year prohibiting spectators at illegal street races. Industry has reportedly become a haven for illegal street races. A person arrested for watching illegal race faces a fine and jail time - the same penalty an illegal street driver faces. "Also going into effect today is a fine of up to $750 for a second conviction within three years for driving more than 100 mph," says Tanaka. The fine evidently increases up to $1,000 per conviction for subsequent offenses committed within five years of the first two. As an alternative, Doug Stokes suggests a Thursday night tension-relieving session of the drag strip at Irwindale Speedway. For more information on new traffic laws, see Reed Berry's article, New Laws for 2005 - Roy Nakano This article first appeared in our LA Car Blog.