NEW measures aim to clamp down on speeding with fines of $1,000 being issued for offenders.
A fresh crackdown on street racing will ban a number of measures, including drifting and wheelies.
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The move in Cleveland, Ohio, is targeting drivers who authorities say are acting like “the wild, wild, west.”
These ordinances bring the city into conformity with state law changes brought in on October 24.
But following a series of incidents in Cleveland in September, the new laws were brought forward.
“We need to get the attention of these street outlaws, who think this is the wild, wild, west and they can do anything they like on our Cleveland roads and parking lots,” said Councilman Mike Polensk.
The activities now formally banned include, blocking intersections, burnouts, doughnuts, drifting, stunt driving, and wheelies.
Penalties include a potential six-month jail sentence and fines of up to $1,000.
Under the recent law enforcement, cops can also seize modified vehicle parts used to make cars faster for illegal speed racing.
Officers will also look to target the tools used to modify vehicles in potentially dangerous and illegal ways.
On the evening of September 28 and into the morning of September 29, a number of drivers were involved in a series of terrifying and disruptive stunts.
These included blocking traffic on Interstate 90, as well as pointing guns at people, lighting fireworks, and trying to start fires.
Cleveland Police have already arrested seven people for their alleged roles in the takeovers, with three having been indicted by grand juries, as reported by local NBC-owned affiliate WKYC.
Under the new laws, those found guilty of street takeovers – either directly as participants or indirectly as spectators – face the same penalties.
“The penalty for violation has not been changed from the current city code and is the same as state law: a 1st-degree misdemeanor and at least a 30-day suspension of the driver’s license as well as the same penalty for anyone who assists them,” Cleveland City Council said in a statement.
“The new legislation would also make ‘vehicle components’ subject to seizure and forfeiture, including but not limited to steering wheels, wheels, and tires and mufflers, or any part of the vehicle or component that was adapted for use in street takeovers, stunt driving or racing,” the statement went on.
Cleveland has also established a Street Take Over Task Force which will work on solutions to tackling the problem.
What is reckless driving?
Laws across the country are cracking down on careless drivers who endanger other people on the road. Here are some behaviors that are considered reckless driving:
- Speeding
- Street racing
- Aggressive driving/road rage
- Tailgating
- Driving under the influence
- Using a phone while driving
- Running red lights
- Inattentive driving
- Improperly changing lanes
- Not signaling
- Carrying too many passengers
- Weaving in and out of traffic
Announcing the measures, Councilmen Polensek added that the city was taking a zero-tolerance approach to street takeovers going forward.
Directing the culprits, he said, “You’re not going to come in from Columbus, Cincinnati, Akron, Barberton, Sandusky, and terrorize our residents.”
SInce the clampdown, authorities have reported a noticeable drop in street takeovers.
But illegal car meets in parking lots have continued, said Cleveland Police Chief Annie Todd during a Council Safety Committee meeting.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb is now expected to sign off on the new stricter measures.
