MCG article: Crackdown on street racing in Ohio

[66FBCharger]

I got my Mopar Collectors Guide yesterday. I read the article about the state of Ohio working on a law to give the police the authority to seize your vehicles if it is perceived to be street racing. The article went on to say, that if you accelerate too quickly, spin the tires, rev your engine at a light, etc. the police could make the determination that it is street racing and seize (not impound) your vehicle.
Has anyone else read this article?
All the members who live in Ohio, is this true? How will it affect the future of car shows (The Nats specifically) in Ohio?
If this is true, it is hard to believe that this could happen. I hope it does not pass. The article said that there was little to no opposition to the bill. If it passes in Ohio, it is almost sure to pass in other states!

[moparstuart]

 

[Troy]

It already exists in California.

I haven't read/heard about it here in Ohio. Any decent lawyer could beat it if you're busted only for spinning tires (and I'm assuming you *will* have a lawyer if they're seizing property). Plus, I'm sure it carries a hefty amount of fines and points. You can already get reckless op tickets for most anything (including racing) so it's a special case where they can hit you harder. Until it goes through the courts a few times it's hard to tell how enforceable it will be. As usual, it will be up to the officer to decide what you get cited for.

Most of the time the local police are pretty lenient during big shows/cruises. Brice Road seems to be different each year as far as what is allowed. That's why everyone is migrating to Heath during the Nats (I believe their cruise is put on by the Chief of Police and he sometimes participates in the burnout contests).

Troy

[sittinonready43]

its already here in canada they have pulled two cars in cobourg for racing both were hondas so no big loss lol

[tricky lugnuts]

Looks like it passed the Ohio House last December and has proceeded to go absolutely nowhere in the Ohio Senate.

Good luck pushing it through in an election year.

http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20100524/NEWS01/5240304/Ohio-legislators-have-stack-of-bills-to-ponder-by-break

[tricky lugnuts]

Here are the folks trying to get signatures for it:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/20/stop-illegal-street-racing-in-Ohio

Here's an analysis by the Ohio Legislative Services Commission:

http://www.lbo.state.oh.us/fiscal/fiscalnotes/128ga/HB0191IN.htm

A copy of the proposed law itself:

http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_HB_191_RH

The man himself, Ted Celeste, who hates illegal street racing and has dedicated himself to ending the scourge:

http://www.house.state.oh.us/index.php?option=com_displaymembers&task=detail&district=24

And his view on the proposed law:

http://ostnl.org/Editor/assets/052809.hb%20191%20key%20points.pdf

[Troy]

Oh, here's Ohio's existing definition of street racing:

4511.251 Street racing.

(A) As used in this section and section 4510.036 of the Revised Code, "street racing" means the operation of two or more vehicles from a point side by side at accelerating speeds in a competitive attempt to out-distance each other or the operation of one or more vehicles over a common selected course, from the same point to the same point, wherein timing is made of the participating vehicles involving competitive accelerations or speeds. Persons rendering assistance in any manner to such competitive use of vehicles shall be equally charged as the participants. The operation of two or more vehicles side by side either at speeds in excess of prima-facie lawful speeds established by divisions (B)(1)(a) to (B)( of section 4511.21 of the Revised Code or rapidly accelerating from a common starting point to a speed in excess of such prima-facie lawful speeds shall be prima-facie evidence of street racing.

(B) No person shall participate in street racing upon any public road, street, or highway in this state.

(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of street racing, a misdemeanor of the first degree. In addition to any other sanctions, the court shall suspend the offender's driver's license, commercial driver's license, temporary instruction permit, probationary license, or nonresident operating privilege for not less than thirty days or more than three years. No judge shall suspend the first thirty days of any suspension of an offender's license, permit, or privilege imposed under this division.

Effective Date: 01-01-2004; 06-01-2004; 06-15-2006

An article on the original Bill:

Right now, street racing is a first-degree misdemeanor in Ohio which carries a $1,000 fine and a maximum six-month prison term.  Under the proposed bill, the current 30-day license suspension will be one year, and any vehicles involved in the race will be taken away permanently.

"I'm suffering right now," Monica Durban said.  "I don't want anyone else to suffer the way I have."

The bill will also include a ban on the use of nitrous oxide in vehicles on public roads and highways and will require anyone who purchases it to sign a statement saying they know nitrous oxide is not to be used for street racing, Mallett reported.

http://www.10tv.com/live/content/local/stories/2009/05/28/story_bill.html?sid=102

Apparently some changes were made:
http://g35driver.com/forums/ohio-g-club/318268-hb-191-what-up-ohio.html
http://www.my350z.com/forum/politics-war-and-religion/472201-ohios-monica-durban-law-street-racing-and-n2o-2.html

Troy

[kab69440]

Quick, someone name a municipality in Ohio that DOES NOT ALREADY forbid the use of nitrous oxide in a street car. Here in Marion if you are caught with a nitrous oxide setup hooked up in your car, they will remove the bottles, vent and puncture them. If you are taking nitrous to the track, the bottles had better not be plumbed and ready for use until you are on track property. Just one more useless piece of knee-jerk legislation for the Great Police State of Ohio. I agree that what happened in the incident that prompted the proposed law was a travesty, but I am sick of paying for the stupidity of others.

[Tilar]

Quick, someone name a municipality in Ohio that DOES NOT ALREADY forbid the use of nitrous oxide in a street car. Here in Marion if you are caught with a nitrous oxide setup hooked up in your car, they will remove the bottles, vent and puncture them.

Butler, About 40 miles north east from you.  We are so backwards that back in the mid 70's we still had a law on the books that said that after dusk, Any vehicle that traveled the roads of Butler must be followed by a man swinging a red lantern. We may still have that law in effect. I also talked to my mother that is on the city council and she knows of no ordinance about nitrous oxide.

[TUFCAT]

Maybe that's why the Mopar Nat's sucks?    

...not to mention the golf carts, mopeds, mini-bikes, motorized scooters, bicycles....and anything else that wants to RUN YOUR ASS OVER while your're attending the show.    

By the way - - I can't wait for Carlisle this year.  Jackie I hope you're reading this!!    See you there!

[Cooter]

While I did do some "Questionable" things in my earlier years like the occasional "Illeagal Speed Contest", I do not condone street racing. If your junk is that badass, take it to the track and let EVERYBODY see what it'll do..With all those spectators, it's All but impossible to "Miss Third" that many damn times....

[jaak]

I learned along time ago NOT to believe what I read in MCG....the articles in that mag are pure 100% bullshit. I still like to read it, but definately don't believe it. The best one's gotta be the '70 RR that was used to pull cadavers around in crash test vehicles.....classic 

Jason

[Highbanked Hauler]

 
  I've heard that story also.The RR was a 6pack car featured in a mopar mag years ago. No idea if its true

[71ChallengeHer]

Maybe that's why the Mopar Nat's sucks?    

...not to mention the golf carts, mopeds, mini-bikes, motorized scooters, bicycles....and anything else that wants to RUN YOUR ASS OVER while your're attending the show.    

By the way - - I can't wait for Carlisle this year.  Jackie I hope you're reading this!!    See you there!

Tucat, I read it. Wow, glad that isn't a law here. I'll have Coors Light cold and ready for you. 

[TUFCAT]

Maybe that's why the Mopar Nat's sucks?    

...not to mention the golf carts, mopeds, mini-bikes, motorized scooters, bicycles....and anything else that wants to RUN YOUR ASS OVER while your're attending the show.    

By the way - - I can't wait for Carlisle this year.  Jackie I hope you're reading this!!    See you there!

Tucat, I read it. Wow, glad that isn't a law here. I'll have Coors Light cold and ready for you.  

I takes at least one just to say hello...so you better have six!    I love ya!

[71ChallengeHer]

Maybe that's why the Mopar Nat's sucks?    

...not to mention the golf carts, mopeds, mini-bikes, motorized scooters, bicycles....and anything else that wants to RUN YOUR ASS OVER while your're attending the show.    

By the way - - I can't wait for Carlisle this year.  Jackie I hope you're reading this!!    See you there!

Tucat, I read it. Wow, glad that isn't a law here. I'll have Coors Light cold and ready for you.  

I takes at least one just to say hello...so you better have six!    I love ya!

A six pack, jeez. You know me better then that.