Street racing hurts and kills people. It also damages property. And soon, it could have drivers doing months of jail time.

I told you a few weeks ago that Alabama could make it a specific crime to race your car on a public road or parking lot. Now it looks like that is coming true. Two different but similar bills have passed the Alabama House and Senate.

I am passionate about this subject because I see injured people daily. But you don’t have to be a lawyer to know that cars operated unsafely can hurt you and those around you.

Here are some facts: statistics show that most street racers are males between 16 and 25, and many do not have driver’s licenses. I don’t know if this proposed law will stop this dangerous activity, but I agree that something has to be done.

Let me remind you of a few examples from our state:

• 9 people were injured when 2 cars doing donuts collided.
• An Alabama woman was killed, and 4 others were injured when a car doing a burnout collided with a car in a parking lot.
• A 14-year-old boy was killed when he was hit while watching the goings on.
Troopers say there have been threats of gun violence.

Most of us just hear the engine noise late at night or early in the morning. It had gotten so bad that one resident says the noise rattled her house – shaking the pictures off the walls. She said she would not be surprised if one of the supped-up cars ran into a house.

Legislators hope the new law will at least have these young drivers think twice. I do too.

If you are hurt in a traffic accident or suffer any other personal injury, you can talk to us at the Law Firm of Eiland and Ritchie (251) 666-1212 for free. We want to help you get back on your feet.

Also, join us for NBC 15 LawCall , our legal call-in TV show, here in Mobile every Sunday night at 10:30, right after the news. We will take your calls live.

Allen Ritchie
Alabama personal injury lawyer

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