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Headlines and news stories this year in Florida have provided a grim reminder of the dangers of street racing:

In an NBC2 report, Cape Coral police say Marcus Anthony Solloway, 30, of Fort Myers, was pronounced dead at the scene and his passengers, Cynthia Astucio, 23, and Patrick Zachary Padilla, 34, both of Cape Coral, suffered serious injuries in a street racing crash on October 3, 2015.

In April 2015 the Florida Highway Patrol said 18-year-old Julie Castor was headed westbound on I-595 off of State Road 7 around midnight when witnesses said two unknown cars that were street racing cut her off. She lost control of her car, slammed into a concrete barrier wall, then ricocheted off the barrier wall and re-crossed the westbound lanes of I-595, striking a retaining wall, according to an NBC Miami report.

The Sun Sentinel reported in January 2015 that investigators suspected a Hyundai was racing a motorcycle when the driver lost control and wrapped his car around a tree in Tamarac, FL, killing a 20-year-old passenger.

USA Today reported in 2012 about the efforts of Laurie Broadus of Orlando  to stop street racing. Her son, Shawn, 18, was killed in a drag-racing crash in 2006. Laurie believed the reason for her son's death was the popularity of the 2001 movie The Fast and The Furious which made street racing seem fun and adventurous. Laurie founded Mothers Against Racing on the Streets of Central Florida after Shawn's death.

"Street racing is not only illegal in Florida, it is also dangerous, affecting drivers, passengers and non-passengers alike," said Fort Myers Personal Injury Attorney Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Florida Law for Racing

Florida statute 316.191 defines ‘Race’ to mean a competition involving the use of one or more vehicles in an attempt to:

• Outgain or outdistance another motor vehicle;
• Prevent another motor vehicle from passing;
• Arrive at a given destination ahead of another vehicle;
• Test the physical stamina of drivers over long distance driving routes.

A person may not:

(a) Drive any motor vehicle, including any motorcycle, in any race, speed competition or contest, drag race or acceleration contest, test of physical endurance, or exhibition of speed or acceleration or for the purpose of making a speed record on any highway, roadway, or parking lot;

(b) In any manner participate in, coordinate, facilitate, or collect moneys at any location for any such race, competition, contest, test, or exhibition;

(c) Knowingly ride as a passenger in any such race, competition, contest, test, or exhibition; or

(d) Purposefully cause the movement of traffic to slow or stop for any such race, competition, contest, test, or exhibition.

Under § 316.191(4)(a) if a person is charged as being a spectator at any drag race then the person can be issued a civil or noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in Chapter 318.

"When a crash occurs because of street racing, victims may be entitled to damages in personal injury lawsuits. These lawsuits may be filed against drivers and promoters. Contact the experienced attorneys at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. if you or a loved one is injured as the result of a street racing accident," said Naples Personal Injury Attorney, Randall Spivey.

Naples Vehicle Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.