Here’s what could happen to your car if you’re caught street racing in Texas
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called illegal street racing and street takeovers a growing problem during a Wednesday visit to Fort Worth, where he ceremonially signed two bills he said would give law enforcement more tools to respond.
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn and Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes sat next to the governor, with a cluster of local law enforcement officials behind them. Several North Texas lawmakers were also in attendance.
“As long as I am governor, we will back the blue to protect our citizens and ensure that law enforcement has the tools they need to secure our streets,” Abbott said.
Abbott referenced an incident in Fort Worth in July when five people were arrested for staging a street takeover. The group was also involved in a series of street takeovers in Austin, according to investigators.
Also in Fort Worth, the parents of four young children were killed in a November 2020 crash when their car was hit by a vehicle that was racing, Parker noted. The driver of that car was also killed.
“The reality is, unfortunately, street racing and street takeovers are not a victimless crime,” Parker said. “Sometimes what you see on TV or social media is maybe sensationalized. You see … young kids doing donuts in the street. You forget that at the other end of that sometimes lives are lost.”
One of the bills, authored by Rep. Mihaela Plesa, a Dallas Democrat, requires law enforcement to impound vehicles used for street racing. Before, officials could only impound vehicles involved in racing when there was property damage or a person was injured. The law is already in effect.
The other, authored by Rep. Ann Johnson, a Houston Democrat, creates new offenses considered organized criminal activity: Reckless driving exhibition and racing on a highway, Abbott said. Law enforcement also has the authority to seize vehicles and contraband used during the crimes, he said. The law goes into effect Sept. 1.
The bills were officially signed in June and were part of a different bill signing ceremony in Austin for a number of public safety-related bills.
“For the people out there pushing around those 2,500 pound missiles, those chuckle heads, we want to make it perfectly clear that we’re coming after you,” said Waybourn, the Tarrant County Sheriff. “The light will be on at the jail house.”
Abbott in February announced a statewide “street takeover task force” headed by The Texas Department of Public Safety.
“If you do the donuts, you do the time,” Abbott said, summarizing the sheriff’s remarks.
This story was originally published August 2, 2023 at 3:11 PM.
