In 2021, the Georgia legislature decided to crack down on street racing. Gov. Brian Kemp, R-Georgia, signed House Bill 534 into law and made penalties for racing more severe and the law more extensive for easier prosecution. Now, Georgia has some of the strictest street racing penalties however other states like Florida and California are also passing more laws as the issue grows across the nation.
In 2024, a new bill called SB 10 is being considered that could make penalties harsher and even extend to “spectators.”
Under this law, facilitating or attending an illegal street race is clearly defined as a criminal offense.
Legislators are counting on enhanced deterrents such as higher fines and imprisonment to put an end to the notorious street racing meetups that have proliferated on both urban and suburban roads throughout the state.
Street Racing Penalties Include A License Suspension
One of the main tactics in Georgia is to use license suspensions to curb street racing. For example,
First-time offenders face a license suspension of up to 12 months. However, if you find yourself in this situation, you could apply for an early reinstatement after 120 days, albeit with a $210 fee.
For those caught a second time within five years, the stakes get higher: your driver’s license could be suspended for up to 36 months. Early reinstatement is possible after 18 months, but it comes with a $310 fee.
A third conviction is even more severe, resulting in a driver’s license revocation for a full five years.
If you’re caught driving while your license is suspended, expect a hefty fine ranging between $750 and $5,000 and up to 12 months in jail. For habitual offenders with a revoked license, the consequences escalate to felony charges, with fines starting at $1,000 and a potential jail sentence spanning from one to five years.
Georgia Street Racing Laws Also Include Drag Racing
Anyone convicted of drag racing on a highway or private property would also face graduated penalties within a ten year period:
- First conviction: a fine of $300-$750 and 10 days to 6 months in jail
- Second conviction: a fine of $600 to $1,000 and 90 days to one year in jail
- Third conviction: a fine of $1,000 to $5,000 and 120 days to one year in jail
- Fourth conviction: a fine of $1,000 to $5,000 and one to five years in jail
Getting Techical: Georgia Street Racing Laws
The code that pertains to Street Racing activities is O.C.G.A. § 40-6-186. It forbids operating a vehicle in a “race, speed competition or contest, drag race or acceleration contest, test of physical endurance, or exhibition of speed or acceleration.” More or less: the law covers all street racing or stunt driving activities.
“Racing” is defined as using one or more vehicles to “outgain, outdistance, or prevent another vehicle from passing, to arrive at a given destination ahead of other vehicles, or to test the physical stamina or endurance of drivers over long-distance driving routes.”
The law describes a “drag race” in a few different ways. Firstly, it can involve two or more vehicles racing side by side at high speeds, trying to outpace each other. Alternatively, it can involve one or more vehicles driving along a designated route, starting from the same point, to measure speed or acceleration across a specific distance or time frame.
What To Do If you’re Charged With Street Racing Charge in Georgia
Street Racing is considered a serious traffic offense in Georgia. It is one of the rare offenses that results in a license suspension after a single conviction. The best thing to do is call an experienced traffic lawyer immediately. Don’t fall for tech companies masquerading as traffic law firms that will just sell your info as a lead.
Our firm has been helping drivers navigate traffic tickets since 1987 and resolved over 5,000,000 cases nationwide. Our footprint includes 40 offices in 3 states. We are here to help!
Call us to discuss your options.
Make no mistake, if you’re facing a street racing charge, your license is AT RISK! Getting a Georgia Traffic Attorney involved sooner than later can significantly increase your chances of a sucessful outcome. It’s always possible the charge will get dismissed with proper representation. Don’t wait until it’s too late!
