Some people have what is described as a “lead foot,” indicating that they often speed. Speeding can be dangerous under any circumstances, but when it is taken beyond simply speeding and into street racing, it can be absolutely deadly. Street racing may sound like a fun hobby to those who engage in it, but to the victims who are hurt by their actions, it is neither fun nor a hobby. Street racing accidents can cause thousands of dollars in injuries and property damage. If you have been injured in a street racing accident, even if you were a passenger, a car accident attorney at Lott Law may be able to assist you in recovering damages. Call (228) 215-2787 for a consultation to learn more.
Is Street Racing Legal in Mississippi?
MS Code Section 63-3-1215 says that no one should drive in any race, speed contest, competition, drag race or acceleration contest, among others, in Mississippi. The law also defines “racing” as the use of one or more vehicles in an attempt to outdistance, outgain, or prevent another vehicle from passing them, or to test the physical endurance or stamina of the drivers over long-distance routes on public roads in the state of Mississippi.
Who Most Commonly Engages in Street Racing?
According to Arizona State University’s Center for Problem-Oriented Policing, there are a number of distinct groups that engage in street racing. One is typically male, between 18 and 24 years old and living at home. These drivers generally have little income. A second group is white males who are predominantly older, between 25 and 40 years old, and they build and race “muscle” cars as a hobby.
The third group is Asian and Hispanic males with a very broad age range. These drivers generally drive later model imported cars. This group currently dominates the street racing scene.
Why Is Street Racing So Dangerous?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatality Analysis Reporting System data for 1998 through 2001 was used in a study to analyze street racing crashes. This study found that of 149,568 fatal crashes during those years, 315 involved street racing and resulted in 399 fatalities. The same study also found that street racing accidents are nearly six times more likely to occur when the vehicles are at speeds of 65 miles per hour or higher. While those numbers may not sound very high, it is important to remember that there may be many additional street racing accidents that are not reported as such because the individuals involved were dishonest with authorities about what took place or left the scene to avoid the authorities.
There are several things that make street racing so dangerous, and high speeds and the risk of death are only two of them. When individuals are considering whether to get involved in street racing, they should carefully consider these factors.
Dangerous Speeds
Street racing is not two cars driving the speed limit to see who gets there first. Instead, street racing is two cars moving at incredibly high speeds. These speeds frequently reach between 100 and 200 miles per hour. At these speeds, there is little to no reaction time. This means that even if drivers have time to register an obstacle or other problem in their path, they do not have time to react and attempt to avoid it. There is a greater chance of losing control of the vehicle at speeds this high, as well.
When street racing accidents occur, these very high speeds mean a higher chance of the collision being serious. Serious collisions, particularly at these speeds, lead to more severe injuries, including death.
Disregard for Traffic Signals and Signs
Another thing that makes street racing so dangerous is a disregard for traffic signals and signs. When drivers are racing, they continue through red lights, stop signs, and other traffic control devices. This presents a danger to the racing drivers and other drivers on the road, as speeding through a red light or stop sign can easily result in a collision. At the high speeds racing drivers are traveling, the racing drivers have no time to react, but other drivers who are ordinarily safe and often driving at or even below the speed limit also have no time to react because the racing vehicles are moving so quickly. Additionally, sometimes there are no other vehicles, but instead pedestrians attempting to cross a road. Pedestrians, moving more slowly than a car and without any of the protections of a vehicle, are at even higher risk of injury and more often, death.
Lack of Protection for Pedestrians and Bystanders
Because street racing takes place on public streets, there are often pedestrians and bystanders. Sometimes these people have come just to see the street racing but many times, they are present for a variety of other reasons, such as errands, dates, work, or even simply taking a walk.
If individuals looked at a racetrack designated for vehicle racing, they would find a number of safety measures in place to protect the drivers of the vehicles. In addition, there are protections for the audience. Guardrails, fences, and emergency medical personnel are often present to ensure the safety of drivers and bystanders. These protections do not exist for drivers, pedestrians, or bystanders in street racing accidents. If you have been injured as a result of an accident during a street race, Lott Law may be able to assist you in recovering damages for your injuries.
Large Crowds
Large crowds of people may gather to watch street races. These crowds may be having a good time until law enforcement arrives. When law enforcement arrives, the crowd may try to scatter quickly, hoping to avoid arrest or even being associated with the street race at all. In attempting to flee quickly, people may be pushed to the ground and trampled, resulting in head injuries, broken bones, bruises, lacerations, and other injuries.
Driver Intoxication
Whether participants are of legal drinking age or not, many street racing participants are intoxicated when they engage in this activity. They may be intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. Combine intoxication with high speeds and disregarding traffic signs and signs, and street racing accidents can become lethal. In addition to the drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other bystanders may also be intoxicated and make reckless decisions that put them in harm’s way.
Associated Illegal Activity
Street racing accidents are not the only safety concern when looking at street or drag racing. The Center for Problem-Oriented Policing at Arizona State University indicates that law enforcement suspects many drivers who engage in these races may also engage in illegal activities to finance their hobby. This increases crime rates as well as the danger to racers and others.
If these drivers are engaging in illegal activities such as robbery, burglary, carjacking, and others, they risk being confronted by a potential victim who is armed and will shoot them. The drivers may arm themselves to commit these crimes and may hurt their victims, either intentionally or as a result of being nervous or uncomfortable.
Injuries and Property Damage Resulting From Street Racing Accidents
Street racing accidents are significantly more severe than a typical car accident. Due to the very high speeds involved in street racing, the collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians, trees, or other property can be much harder.
Injuries From Street Racing Accidents
Even a low-speed crash can cause severe injuries, depending on the circumstances. The high speeds of street racing accidents significantly increases the chances of grave injuries such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, head injuries, internal organ damage, internal bleeding, loss of limb, pelvic fracture, concussion, cognitive impairment, and facial trauma.
These injuries can have lasting impacts, including permanent disability. Additionally, it is not just the driver in a street race that is at risk for these injuries. Passengers, flaggers, timekeepers, other pedestrians, bystanders, and innocent drivers not involved in the street race are all at risk of these injuries. In the most severe cases, someone may even die from their injuries, which may potentially result in a wrongful death claim against the driver or drivers in the street race.
Property Damage From Street Racing Accidents
Like injuries, property damage from street racing accidents can also be worse. The vehicles themselves are frequently more severely damaged, often to the point of being declared a total loss by insurance. This can be devastating for an innocent driver who was involved in a collision due to a street race, particularly drivers like single parents, young drivers with low incomes or older individuals on fixed incomes. Many insurance companies will refuse to pay for damages caused by street racing accidents, even when the victim was not racing themselves. When the insurance refuses to cover the damages, the victim’s only alternative is to file a lawsuit against the racing driver.
Racing drivers may also damage guardrails, street signs, curbs, traffic signals, and other items along the edge of the street. If the driver loses control, they may damage commercial buildings, homes, children’s toys left outside, playgrounds, and more. The extent of this damage may be much more than the driver’s insurance can cover, if it covers it at all. This leaves the individual with damaged property no alternative but to file a lawsuit and hope the driver can pay out of pocket for the damage. Additionally, if an individual’s car is stolen and damaged in a street race, their insurance may also refuse to pay for damages, which again leaves a victim no choice but to file a lawsuit.
How to Protect Yourself Against Street Racing Accidents
While law enforcement takes action to stop street racing when and where they can, there is only so much the authorities can do. There are other matters law enforcement must also attend to, and drivers who engage in street racing can be stealthy and quick, engaging in races and leaving the area before law enforcement arrives. This means that it is the responsibility of the average citizen to take action to protect themselves against street racing accidents, unfortunately.
Avoid Engaging in Street Racing
This may seem like an obvious option, but it is important to say because there are ways individuals can end up racing without realizing it. Drivers may race, but passengers in their vehicles can also be injured in street racing accidents. If an individual is riding in a car with someone and the driver indicates they are going to street race, the passenger should ask them to drop them off somewhere or let them out of the vehicle at the scene of the street race.
Avoid being tempted into a race by someone who admires or insults vehicles, as well. Some drivers who street race will try to lure others into a race by pretending to be in disbelief at how fast the other person’s car can go. They will ask them to “prove it” or show them and suggest a short or quick race. Individuals may be tempted because it sounds harmless, but even a short or quick race can have painful or even deadly consequences.
Approach Intersections Cautiously
Whether an individual is on foot or driving, intersections can be particularly dangerous when it comes to street racing accidents. Street racers often ignore traffic signals and signs, speeding through these intersections at incredibly high speeds. When approaching any intersection, even if the driver has a green light, they should still slow down and look both ways before proceeding. If at an intersection with a stop sign, they should take a few extra seconds to ensure they do not see any fast approaching headlights.
Additionally, many vehicles used in street racing have been modified with engines and exhaust systems that are much louder than the typical vehicle. Drivers can put down their windows and listen for the sounds of a potential street race before proceeding through an intersection. Screeching tires and roaring engines are two possible indications that a street race is occurring nearby.
Stay Calm Around Frustrating Drivers
Driving below the speed limit, stepping on their brakes constantly, turning a turn signal on then not turning, and other actions can be frustrating when following another driver. Drivers may also get frustrated when another driver is tailgating, blinding them with bright headlights in the rearview mirror, and taking other dangerous or annoying actions. Drivers may be tempted to honk at the other driver, speed up, or otherwise engage in an effort to get the other driver to stop doing whatever they are doing and start driving more appropriately.
However, in some cases, this can lead to a street race. This may be unintentional, such as one driver speeding up to pass the other and the first driver then speeds up to keep the second driver from passing. In other instances, this can be exactly what the other driver intended with their frustrating actions. Either way, it can be dangerous and drivers should remain calm and only execute actions such as passing after they have carefully confirmed it is safe to do so and that they can drop back and get behind the other driver again if necessary.
Pay Attention to Unusually Quiet Streets
Many street races do not block off streets, which is why it is critical to approach intersections with caution. However, sometimes street racers do block off the area of the street race in what is called a sideshow or takeover. When this happens, they block intersections with vehicles and people. They can then race or perform stunts such as burnouts and donuts. Blocking the intersections also makes it more difficult for law enforcement to shut down the sideshow.
This can lead to some streets being unusually quiet due to traffic being blocked off. Depending on how far apart the intersections are, pedestrians and other drivers may not be able to see or hear the vehicles or people. Therefore, if a driver notices that a familiar street seems to be unusually quiet compared to its normal traffic, they may want to consider that there is a street race happening and take an alternate route to avoid street racing accidents.
Report Illegal Street Racing When You See It
Mississippi law makes street racing illegal. This means it is a crime and can be reported. Signs of a street race include:
- Spectators
- Flagger waving their arms, a flag (piece of fabric of some sort), or flashlight
- Lookouts with computers, cell phones, police scanners, walkie-talkies and two-way radios
- Smoke in the air from burnouts or donuts
- Limited number of cars moving at very high speeds
Individuals who see these signs or otherwise know that there is a street race taking place should call 911 to report the race. If the individual has knowledge of an upcoming street race that is not currently happening, they should contact the non-emergency number for their local police department or the police department where the race will take place to report it.
How a Mississippi Vehicle Accident Attorney Can Help If You Have Been Involved in a Street Racing Accident
Whether you were a passenger, spectator, or a pedestrian trying to go about your daily life, street racing can have a negative impact on your life. Street races can stop traffic, and potentially lead to injuries as crowds try to flee when law enforcement arrives. Street racing accidents have a significant chance of causing severe injuries and property damage. If you have been injured as a result of one of these accidents, contact Lott Law at (228) 215-2787 to review your case and learn how the racing driver may be held liable for what happened to you.
