Recently, there has been an increase in racing duels on the nation’s roads with high-end sports cars and motorbikes.
You probably took a guess. The pandemic had a bit to do with it. The empty streets and the boring new-normal apparently provided the perfect opportunity for street racing.
If you’re a resident of Nevada, you may know the activity well enough. Perhaps you’ve even witnessed a few high-speed races in your neighborhood. The thing is, street racing is fast becoming a fancy pastime in the nation, and more so in Nevada. Las Vegas is witnessing epidemic levels of illicit street racing in recent years.
Well, if you’re wondering what the activity is all about and why it’s a serious problem, read on.
What is Street Racing?
Street racing is a speed contest, usually illegal. Also, it takes place on a public road not designed or prepared by authorities for the race.
Now, it’s no secret that speed contests have been around for as long as humans have. As the name suggests, these races happen on the streets with or without safety precautions for the public and the participants.
In Nevada law, street racing is treated as reckless driving so long as the authorities do not authorize it. It doesn’t matter if the activity was carried out safely either. Planning these races or even promoting them is considered participation, attracting prosecution.
Street Racing in Las Vegas
Undoubtedly, street racing is illegal everywhere in Nevada, but you’re probably wondering why Las Vegas?
Vegas is also known as Sin City. It’s the most popular entertainment paradise on the planet, and that’s not hype.
The city definitely attracts thrill-seekers and the type of people who cruise around in McLarens and Ducatis for the fun of it.
According to media reports, one of the most notorious racing grounds in the city is North Las Vegas. Residents near Durango Drive, Bruce Street, and Oso Blanca Road reportedly witness high-speed drifts multiple times a day.
Street racers can exceed speeds of 100 to 120 mph. If the driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, street racing can result in a crash.
Dangers of Street Racing
The dangers of street racing are many. First, racer is driving automobiles at high speeds exceeding what’s usually seen on the freeways. Secondly, you also have pedestrians and bystanders to factor in if it’s all happening in a public roadway.
Here are the dangers street racing poses to the participants and the public:
- Increased risk of losing control of the automobile and an inability to manage curves
- Can result in spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, broken bones, internal bleeding, organ damage etc.
- Significantly reduced reaction time to avoid people and other vehicles
- Vicious crashes resulting in death and severe injuries to participants or road users
- Property damage
- Increase in gang-related incidents attracted by the illegal activity
- Noise
- Flying debris from the cars can injure large numbers of people.
What Are the Penalties in Las Vegas?
Nevada considers taking part in a street race a misdemeanor so long as it doesn’t result in harm. If arrested, you may be fined a minimum of $250 to a maximum of $2000. Court will make this decision on the basis of your previous record. You may also receive community service hours, driver’s license suspension, and possibly a jail term.
However, if someone gets injured or dies because of your actions, you get charged with Category B Felony, which attracts up to $5000 in fines and up to six years in prison.
Is There a Legal Alternative?
It’ll probably come as a surprise considering the rate of street racing cases in Vegas, but yes, there’s a legal alternative.
The event is known as Summit Racing Mayhem Street Legal Drags and takes place regularly at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In 2000, the LMVS opened a special half-mile track to allow drag racers to compete in a legal setting.
The track, dubbed “The Strip at LVMS,” is named after Las Vegas’ iconic entertainment street. It’s one of the nation’s only two drag racing tracks. Participation fee at the legal track isn’t much at all, as it’s around 20 bucks.
Conclusion
Las Vegas and Nevada as a whole have become pretty attractive to speed contests, and they’re happening on the public roadways.
You could be walking home, and the next thing you know, a couple of sports bikes are drifting and releasing clouds of smoke down the street.
Remember that such activities are dangerous even for spectators and illegal.
Always, make sure to report illegal street racing and help the law enforcement officers punish the illegal street racers.
If, say, you get hit by a reckless biker, remember the law is on your side. You can seek the services of a motorcycle accident attorney in Las Vegas. In other words, take proper measures to avoid suffering over someone else’s disregard for the law.