EDINBURGH, Texas (ValleyCentral) – One of the new laws that went into effect September 1 was House Bill 2315.
House Bill 2315, known as the Street Racing Bill, is described by the state legislature as the forfeiture of contraband related to the criminal offense of racing on a highway.
In short, this bill could deprive some drivers of their cars if they are caught in the act of street racing.
“Now the laws have changed so if we can seize a vehicle that’s what we’re going to start doing,” said Lt. Rey Sepulveda of the Edinburgh Police Department.
How would a police department tell the difference between speeding and street racing?
Sepulveda said the difference between speed and racing is that racing will push a car to its limits.
“When they do that and they drive side-by-side with another vehicle, that’s how we determine they’re running,” Sepulveda said.
After Sept. 1, street racing will be a Class A misdemeanor warranting one year in jail and a $4,000 fine, according to Sepulveda. He said the police would go through a training process for the new law.
However, there is a safer option for those who don’t want to give up running.
“There’s no reason to do that, there’s a racetrack here in Edinburgh, it’s north of Edinburgh,” Sepulveda said.
“You can run all night and you have the services of a timing system, a prep track, guardrails, a security team, an ambulance in case God forbids something occur. We’re here instantly to help,” said Rey Chavez, co-owner and general manager of Edinburgh Motorsports Park.
Chavez thinks this law is necessary to keep people safe.
“I think it’s something very necessary, I think legislatures are really, really paying attention to a problem that’s getting worse and worse,” Chavez said.
Police are working with Chavez by referring those arrested for illegal street racing to his race track in hopes of saving lives.
“Losing your life, injuring yourself or injuring an innocent bystander, you know you can’t compare,” Chavez said.
