The Crime of Drag Racing

 Posted on October 26, 2015 in Traffic Offenses

Drag racing, sometimes also referred to as street racing, involves at least two vehicles competing in a speed race against one another. Drag racing can be a straight shot, meaning that the racers maintain a straight path, or could be a race along a designated course that comprises public streets, roadways and highways. The object of drag racing is for one driver to arrive at a destination first, and within a short amount of time. However, sometimes the point of street racing is to prevent another vehicle from passing, or is to test the physical limitations and stamina of drivers over the course of a long driving route.

Street racing has been highly popularized over the last decade or so due to its appearance in a number of movies and high profile celebrity deaths. However, drag racing and any other form of racing is illegal on the roads and highways of Illinois under 625 ILCS 5/11-506, and the consequences of being caught participating in street racing activities are severe criminal charges with lasting effects.

Penalties for a Driver Who Was Racing

Punishment for a drag racing driver is based on whether the driver is a repeat offender, and whether anyone was hurt as a result of the racing.

• As a first offense, street racing is a Class A misdemeanor, carrying a minimum fine of $250;
• As a second or subsequent offense, street racing is upgraded to a Class 4 felony and carries a minimum fine of $500;
• If the drag racing results in a motor vehicle accident that causes great bodily harm, dismemberment, or disfigurement to someone, the driver will be charged with aggravated street racing under 625 ILCS 5/11-506(d)(3). Aggravated street racing is a Class 4 felony and is punishable by a jail sentence lasting from a minimum of one year to up to 12 years; and
• In all instances of street racing, the driver will have his or her driver’s license revoked. License revocations are for an indefinite amount of time, and the only way to get driving privileges back is to appear before the Secretary of State for an administrative hearing and request reinstatement, which takes time, money and often the help of a driver’s license reinstatement lawyer.

You Do Not Even Have to Be a Driver

Not only is it illegal for a driver to engage in street racing, but it is also illegal to be a vehicle owner and knowingly allow another to use your vehicle for street racing purposes under 625 ILCS 5/11-506(b). A conviction for knowingly permitting another to use your vehicle for racing can land you a Class B misdemeanor for a first time offense, and a Class A misdemeanor for a second or subsequent offense.

Call the Law Offices of Christopher M. Cosley

Maybe you were charged with speed racing when in reality you were just speeding, or maybe someone used your car for racing and you had no knowledge that the racing was going to occur. Either way, it is important to fight the charges against you. Contact a skilled Rolling Meadows traffic offenses lawyer immediately at the Law Offices of Christopher M. Cosley. Our phone number is (847) 394-3200.

Source:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-506