Washington State Street Racing Laws

Street racing can lead to serious consequences, such as vehicle collisions, fatalities, injuries, or property damage. Traveling at excessive speeds while racing can put other drivers at risk, because many races occur on public roads. Vehicles in street racing also lack professional safety equipment, which can put the race driver at risk during an accident.

Because street racing is so dangerous, Washington State has passed laws against it. The street racing law states that no one may race motor vehicles on a public highway. Anyone who purposefully tries to compare or contest relative speeds in a vehicle may be found guilty of reckless driving.

Due to the danger associated with racing, the offense is considered reckless driving. In Washington, reckless driving is classified as a gross misdemeanor and the penalties for this crime may include up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. A reckless driving conviction may also result in a mandatory 30-day license suspension, though some drivers could be eligible for a occupational restricted license to allow driving for work purposes. After a reckless driving charge, you will need to obtain SR-22 insurance for three years. SR-22 insurance is often expensive.

You may be wondering if you should hire an attorney, and whether it is worth the cost to do so.  The first thing to consider is the cost of SR-22 insurance. Because this insurance can drastically raise the price of your premium, it may be worth it to fight the charge. You also need to consider whether or not you can go a month without driving your vehicle for other than work. Unless you live somewhere with convenient public transportation, or you have really nice friends, chances are that you cannot afford to lose your license.

As you can see, the penalties for street racing are quite severe. If you have recently been charged with street racing / reckless driving, speaking with an experienced traffic defense attorney is in your best interest. Callahan Law helps drivers like you who have been accused of street racing or reckless driving. Our attorneys will aggressively fight to ensure your rights are upheld during this time.

For more information contact Callahan Law today.