just saw on headline news that it is now illegal to "knowingly watch" a street race in San diego county. something like a $1000 fine.

thats crazy!

I think that's universal everywhere (not sure of the amount of the fine, though) but to watch is to encourage and support an illegal activity or some such stuff, so yes, organized street racing is illegal to watch, participate in, etc....

Real men race at the track anyhow... :D

Half the people in traffic school were there because they watched people street race. But the fine was something like $200 I think. I guess street racing is becoming a problem in SD:D

here in texas... i was at a street race in which the cops raided ( it was in duncanville for all you dallas ppl) anyway, I got away, but 2 of my friends that unfortunlatey had a flat tire on their civic got a 1000 dollar fine, the driver lost his license , and both spent the night in jail until they were bailed out. So if u are going to street race... or watch a street race.. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS have a getaway plan and a backup getaway plan.

Yup, it's illegal everywhere.

AaronM3, seems like your friends were racing??? Or can you really lose your license and spend time in jail being a spectator???

I think you can lose it for just watching too...

yeah they are cracking down on street racing big time here.

There is a popular hang out called domestics where a ton of people meet up at a long's drugs parking lot at 10pm- midnight and its a bunch of nice cars and they used to meet up there and go off and race. I used to go down there to check out the cars but now they have cops handing out tickets in the parking lot and its a big mess. San Diego is one of the last places you wanna get busted for street racing.

Aaron, how long ago was this?

Originally posted by DiScoTeknix
Half the people in traffic school were there because they watched people street race.


Traffic school? Is this just something extra, or is spectating being treated as a moving violation? No ones getting points on their driving record from watching are they?

Originally posted by SilverStreak
I think you can lose it for just watching too...

If that's true, that's total BS!!

It's illegal to abuse children, right? So, by following the logic that the government is using by punishing street racing spectators, it was ALSO illegal for any of us to watch that beatch beat her daughter senseless in the parking lot. You know... that video that made the news and shyte...

I HIGHLY, HIGHLY -- even EMPHATICALLY -- disagree with the premise that watching someone else do something illegal is illegal, itself. Well, let me qualify that. Watching someone commit a misdemeanor should not be illegal. Of course, watching someone murder another human being and not acting (ie, calling police, etc) is wrong.

Watching street racing... that is NOT wrong. That should not be punishable. I don't care what anyone says.

Ron, I'd say it's more like watching an illegal cock-fight with pitbulls, the spectators get busted just the same as the dog owners....

they werent racing to be honest.. they were just watching . And yes the police had no mercy on them.... they treated them as if they had been racing.

Originally posted by AaronM3
they werent racing to be honest.. they were just watching . And yes the police had no mercy on them.... they treated them as if they had been racing.

:bs: If I ever become president, my first order of business will be to do away that those ordinances. There's a HUGE difference betweening watching and participating.

Materially speaking, please tell me how it's any different to watch a street race than it is to watch two people go at it on a 1/4-mile track. Not legally speaking... I'm talking about the tangible differences.

Originally posted by Ron17


:bs: If I ever become president, my first order of business will be to do away that those ordinances. There's a HUGE difference betweening watching and participating.

Materially speaking, please tell me how it's any different to watch a street race than it is to watch two people go at it on a 1/4-mile track. Not legally speaking... I'm talking about the tangible differences.

The point has been made by SilverSteak. Just because you weren't actually racing at the time - or even planned to race - is irrelevant. By attending an illegal event you are actively encouraging that illegal event and therefore become a participant. It's no different than encouraging someone to commit any other illegal act.

You get no sympathy from me on this. At least 13 people have been killed in San Diego this year because of illegal street racing. The last two were two 19 year old college students - recently engaged - who crossed the path of a pair of kids racing. The two killed had zero participation in the event yet they are dead.

There are legal venues for this in San Diego which are held with some frequency. No matter what kind of justifications you come up with you ultimately have no excuses. So if you and your friends are going to give a big "up-yours" to the laws designed to protect health and safety of others (as well as yourself) then be prepared to suffer the consequences should you get caught and don't whine about it. You're still alive, so I'd say you got off easy.

friend of mine is a sheriff in Jersey. He mentioned it's a 4 point ticket but I'm sure about the financial loss.

We'll agree to disagree, then.

BTW, it wasn't me who got in trouble... that was someone else. I was just saying it was BS they got in trouble.

True it was BS.... and yes we all know the risk we take watching this really adrenaline rushing sport. But that's part of it... we know its illegial, we know that if we are caught we're in BIG trouble, yet we continue to do it... just because of the " fun factor" I agree though, its totally dangerous, and I personally know 2 guys who were killed last year racing on Hwy 360 here in Arlington. So..... while i don't support street racing ( hence why i dont race my BMW drag race style on the streets), I don't condone it either cause i just love the thrill of watching to high HP cars duke it out all for bragging rights. But, you get what you deserve, and in the case of Josh and Rob ( my 2 friends who got busted) , they knew that going into it. Its just that fate played its hand and they got busted and took the wrath of the law upon them. No matter how many ordinances you inact, no matter how much punishment you put on people.... people will still do what they want regardless. If they are going to do drugs, become a psychopatchic sniper killing innocent people.... or watch/participate in a street race... people will do what they want to when they want to. You can't stop them no matter what.... so only thing u can do is hope people realize what danger they are putting themselves in... and just take it one day at a time.

-Aaron-

To pass judgment on those that street race or not; but, I think some of the analogies made here are incorrect. It's not the same as watching someone beat the crap out of their dog, their spouse, or their children. It's a different factual situation. In these situations, you have no duty to act. I can be jogging and you are lying on the ground bleeding to death...I have no duty to stop and help you...I can sit there, pop open a beer, and watch you die...morally -- that would be outrageous; but, legally speaking .. no liability .. *apply usual disclaimers here...*

One other thing that I am not sure was mentioned earlier is that here in San Diego, if you do get cited-it is not taken lightly, as it is then put into your record as a CRIMINAL conviction if you are caught watching.

Originally posted by jderry
To pass judgment on those that street race or not; but, I think some of the analogies made here are incorrect. It's not the same as watching someone beat the crap out of their dog, their spouse, or their children. It's a different factual situation. In these situations, you have no duty to act. I can be jogging and you are lying on the ground bleeding to death...I have no duty to stop and help you...I can sit there, pop open a beer, and watch you die...morally -- that would be outrageous; but, legally speaking .. no liability .. *apply usual disclaimers here...*

It's not an issue of whether you have a duty to act but whether or not you are actively and willingly involved. Let's look at your example again: In the scenario you describe you happen upon someone who is bleeding to death. I think you're correct (at least in most States) that you would have no legal duty to act to aid the bleeding person. If, on the other hand, you happend upon this person while someone was beating the snot out of him and you then began to encourage the aggressor to continue, you will have crossed the line legally.

The same analogy applies to illegal street racing. Further more, depending on the State you live in, you may have a legal duty to report any illegal activity that you witness. But I suppose that would be another topic entirely.

As to anyone's willingness to accept the risks - that's fine and good if you do so at a legally organized venue. What you have NO right to do is to impose those risks on anyone else. And this is why the laws are in place. When you race on an open road where others who have no desire to be part of the activity will be present, you impose the risk of injury and death on those people, and all too ofter that risk becomes reality. And yes, just by driving, you do accept certain risks, but getting t-boned by a street racer isn't one of them.

One other thing - regardless of what you may have been taught - you have the power of observation and an active intellect, so you do have the right to pass judgement on the actions and behavior of others.

Yeah, it's like I said, it's akin to watching illegal cock-fights, everyone in the room gets busted...

I would just feel that I am a hypocrite for passing judgment on something that I've probably participated akin to. Although I've never seen or done street-racing as in two cars line up and race, I have thoroughly enjoyed my fair share of spirited jaunts on the highways :D. I've weaved in and out of traffic, although some of those were just b/c I needed to go #2....hehe..and I don't want no brown stains in my drawers or my car...hahah

Mmmm....your analogy Silver reminds me of that Seinfeld episode, "Hot TAMALES...get your HOT TAMALES.." That as a pretty good one...Soup Nazi one was on last night again...:biglaughb

:lol: "They're gonna kill Little Jerry!"

I haven't participated in an organized illegal street racing event since the mid 80's down on Front St in Philly and up on High St in Pottstown.

I still partake in the once in a while impromptu street race, but mostly I save it for the track....

Originally posted by Ron17
...
BTW, it wasn't me who got in trouble... that was someone else. I was just saying it was BS they got in trouble.

Yeah, I saw that after I posted my reply - sorry about that.

I'm completely against streetracing, yet I enjoy watching two cars (say a Boxster S and a M Roadster) battle it out in the middle of traffic, weaving in and out, using signals, dodging Expeditions... and just having fun. I would never watch two cars street race from a start. I live in SD and don't really care about the law because it doesn't really pertain to me. And I don't street race, per se... I accelerate to the posted speed limit quickly, which is hardly illegal, especially when no wheelspin is present. Driving reckless is not what I do.

Originally posted by iamane30m20nut
And I don't street race, per se... I accelerate to the posted speed limit quickly, which is hardly illegal, especially when no wheelspin is present. Driving reckless is not what I do.

My brother got a BS ticket for "emonstration of power"just by doing exactly what you stated. Kinda retarded that you can get a ticket for accelerating to the speed limit.

I got a ticket back in 1988 with my Mustang for "exhibitionist speed" for doing a burnout. I fought it, went to court, and won...

I could fight demonstration of power by saying that I only have 140rwhp (if that). You can't demonstrate what you can't have...

:lol: Johnnie Cochran, "If you ain't got the power to play, you ain't got a ticket to pay!" :D

Originally posted by MojoMoto


Yeah, I saw that after I posted my reply - sorry about that.

No problem at all. I ain't mad at anyone for having a dissenting opinion, as differences are what make this a great place. Like I said, I see it one way, but others see it 180 degrees opposite -- and that's OK.

It's 100% likely that I would feel differently if I lost a friend/family-member to this activity. Just right now... well, Big Brother is watching, so I'll refrain from indicating any behaviors that I may or may not engage in or spectate.

yea but the 1/8 mile event racelegal.com is fun and all, but i want

1/4mile and let whatever cars race,
hell i even saw a cadillac escalade race

I would like to see me get a "demonstration of power" ticket. I NEVER take it up to 5000rpm. EVER. Because I'm your grandma.

MMJ4mil, go to the track on a Test n Tune night, they will line up all kinds of cars, it's much more relaxed, and lots of fun...

Originally posted by SilverStreak
:
I haven't participated in an organized illegal street racing event since the mid 80's down on Front St in Philly and up on High St in Pottstown.

I still partake in the once in a while impromptu street race, but mostly I save it for the track....

I havent been up to High Street in years - I understand that its a total disaster now. Apparently the area is littered with cops every weekend. Last time I was up there it was more of a car show than a racing event... Enter Civic with body kit, wing, wheels, fart can, lights everywhere, painted interior... "pop the hood please?" "No." "Why not?" "Cause." "Um... ok." Still the same DX engine. Its all show nowadays. With all the money some of these stupid kids spend on making their car "look fast" they could have bought a real sports car that doesnt need a body kit and actually is fast...

Yeah, I heard it's not what it was 15 yrs ago up there...

It's fun to go the Civic meets or uuhh street races, and watch the SS's and Cobra's get owned by Turbo B18c Civic's on the bottle:D

Yup im here in San Diego and its $1000 fine, car impounded for 30 days or 6 months in jail. It sucks! :mad:

car impounded for 30 days or 6 months in jail

I don't know which one is worse.

Originally posted by DiScoTeknix


I don't know which one is worse.

Youre ass will come out sore no matter what:bawl

YEAH TOO MANY RICE ROCKETS AND DOMESTIC V8S BURNING DOWN THE ROADS IN CALIFORNIA