Gov. Kemp announces new crackdown on illegal street racing

ATLANTA — Street racing is such a problem in metro Atlanta that the governor wants to crack down on it.

Gov. Brian Kemp held a news conference Friday afternoon saying he wants the state to get involved. He’s calling for stiffer penalties for the drivers and the people organizing the events.

Legislation is expected to be introduced soon that would have much tougher rules, including revoking driver’s licenses for up to 12 months, heavy fines and up to a felony offense.

“Anti-street racing legislation that will toughen penalties for offenders, hold those who promote these activities accountable,” Kemp said.

This issue has been on Kemp’s radar for a while.

Kemp tweeted a “thank you” back in the fall to Atlanta police, state patrol and a number of other agencies as part of a crackdown then, saying “we will not tolerate illegal street racing in our capitol city.”

“We’re able to hold those people accountable and make example, if you will, for someone who is doing this,” Kemp said.

The problem of racing and stunts on our local roads really picked up after the pandemic started in the last year.

Bobbi Sanford said she knows firsthand the real consequences of street racing.

“It’s been very devastating to our family,” Sanford said.

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Sanford’s daughter-in-law Jaye was killed by a street racer while driving her daughter home in DeKalb County on a Saturday afternoon.

“I say that it’s time for these kids realize that this is a new day,” Sanford said.

Police in Sandy Springs have responded to a number of complaints, and this week the city passed a new ordinance that allows for jail time and a fine up to a thousand dollars. It targets the drivers, but also spectators who gather, encourage and record the dangerous activity for social media.

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“We’re talking about those people that are actively engaging in, in the crowds when they’re doing videos when they’re promoting these things,” said Sandy Springs Police spokesperson Salvador Ortega.

“If you could figure out a way to take away someone’s Instagram account, that would get someone’s attention,” said car enthusiast Bruce Piefke.

Piefke said he is renting out Atlanta Motor Speedway in the spring for an evening where racers can trade the street for the track.

“I’m sure it’s not going to appeal to all of them, but I hope it’s going to appeal to some of them,” Piefke said.

New bill aimed at cracking down on, toughening penalties for illegal street racing Over the last few months, there have been countless videos of drivers speeding down interstates and local streets and doing dangerous stunts for crowds.

Cox Media Group