Police warn of illegal street racing ahead of summer
By Jenna Wilson
The summer months bring an increased possibility for street racing, which is why the St. Joseph Police Department is reminding people of the danger of these events.
Street racing and takeovers can lead to many problems, including hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages. But law enforcement wants motorists to be aware it can lead to even worse outcomes than vehicle damage.
“This isn’t a crackdown on having fun, but more so emphasizing the safety,” said Sgt. James Tonn with the St. Joseph Police Department. “You can’t control all the environmental factors out there when you’re going two or three times the speed limit. You may be a great racer, but you can’t control other people on the road and if they pull out in front of you and you can’t stop, you may not be going home that day and it’s not worth it.”
Driving is a concern year-round, but as the weather warms up and people rally up for racing events, law enforcement is urging drivers to avoid putting innocent lives at risk.
“If you want to go fast and have fun, I get it,” Tonn said. “But do it in a place where it’s appropriate because the city streets are not it. If you’re not worried about your own life, realize you could harm someone else and not only do you have to live with that but you’re going to get prosecuted for it.”
Police advise all motorists to practice road safety and wear the proper safety equipment including a helmet and seatbelt when operating a motor vehicle.
“I know the law says you don’t have to wear that helmet on a bike, but it could be the decision-making factor in saving your life,” Tonn added.
Drivers caught participating in illegal street racing will be punished according to city laws and will receive a traffic ticket for reckless driving.
“It’s against the law and you’re going to get a ticket,” Tonn said. “We may even tow your car and you may not like us for it, but we want everybody on the road to make it home safely.”
The code of ordinances for drag racing in the city of St. Joseph can be found on the city website under Sec. 28-457.
