Latest Blogs

Florida is ranked among the top five states in illegal street (drag)  racing of cars and motorcycles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, resulting in injuries and deaths from crashes.  Capt. Keith Gaston of the Florida Highway Patrol calls it a dangerous crime, and the FDOT (Florida Department of Motor Vehicles) issues thousands of citations each year.  

NBC-2  reported that on Wednesday evening, August 28, an 84 year old grandmother, a passenger in her granddaughter's car, died after an accident on Immokalee and Livingston Roads in North Naples.  Witnesses to the accident say the granddaughter's car was hit by a Honda Civic which they believed was involved in drag racing. The Honda was driven by a 37 year old male who lost control of his vehicle.  Investigators are looking into the possibility that the accident was drag-racing and/or alcohol-related.

A young mother in Tampa died in May as a result of a brain injury suffered after being struck by a racing vehicle in Jacksonville.  Witnesses to the accident reported seeing a Volkswagen Beetle (VW) striking the rear of the mother's pickup truck when the VW was racing along the road.  The pickup truck rolled several times before coming to a stop.

"Florida's streets and highways are not for street racing.  Street (drag) racing is dangerous, can be deadly and is illegal," said Southwest Florida Personal Injury Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. "Florida's street racing law, the 'Luis Rivera Ortega Street Racing Act', named for Luis who lost his life when the bicycle he was riding was hit by a street racing vehicle, outlines the penalties under Section 316.191 of the Florida Statutes."

• (2)(a) A person may not:

(a)1. 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)2. In any manner participate in, coordinate, facilitate, or collect

 moneys at any location for any such race, competition, contest, test, or exhibition;

(c)3. Knowingly ride as a passenger in any such race, competition, contest, test, or exhibition; or

(d)4. Purposefully cause the movement of traffic to slow or stop for any such race, competition, contest, test, or exhibition.

According to the statute anyone who is convicted the first time of violating any provision of subsection (2) commits a first-degree misdemeanor and is required to pay a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000 and will have the driver's license revoked for one year.  Subsequent convictions have increasing penalties.

The Florida Highway Patrol has issued an informational flyer for motorcyclists "If you choose to race on the streets you could Lose…".  This flyer gives a warning to motorcyclists about what will happen to them should they be caught street racing.  Click on:  FHP Flyer to get all the information.

Florida Personal Injury Attorney, Randall Spivey represents people injured by drivers who engage in illegal street racing. "Should you come upon people who are engaging in street racing and can safely do so, get the tag number and notify authorities of the location."

Florida Personal Injury Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Civil 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.