Governor Brian Kemp signed a bill on Monday that attempts to stem the tide of illegal street racing in Atlanta. According to the AJC, there is a troubling trend of street racing that has led to an increasing number of complaints in Atlanta since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

It is part of a larger effort across Georgia to suppress illegal street racing, which could encompass a wide range of crimes: dangerous driving in parking lots, chases down highways or quiet roads, stunts in parking decks or busy intersections in front of large crowds.

Atlanta Illegal Street Racing

Racing is already illegal under Georgia law. As outlined in O.C.G.A. (b) § 40-6-186, “[n]o person shall drive any vehicle on a highway in this state 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, and no person shall in any manner participate in any such race, competition of speed, contest of speed, or test or exhibition of speed.”

Under this code section, anyone convicted of this violation is guilty of a misdemeanor, which the court may impose a sentence that includes a fine of up to $1,000.00, up to 12 months in jail, or both.

The Bill seeks to amend the Georgia code by making it illegal for “[a]ny person who knowingly promotes or organizes an exhibition of illegal drag racing, in violation of Code Section 40-6-186, or of laying drags, in violation of Code Section 40-6-251. If found guilty, the person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature.

The Bill also calls for the driver’s license of any person convicted of reckless stunt driving to be suspended.

Contact an experienced Atlanta traffic lawyer to discuss this and all your rights. Diwan Law will appear in court on your behalf and develop a strategic defense to your charges.

As an experienced traffic ticket attorney, Diwan law can guide your case through Atlanta Municipal Court or the Fulton County State Court system.

Call Diwan Law at 404.635.6883 to discuss your case today.