DETROIT- The Detroit Police Department is cracking down on illegal street racing and reckless driving following a number of incidents that took place throughout the city’s neighborhoods over Memorial Day weekend.
As the weather gets warmer, and the Summer season kicks in it’s not unusual for Michigan residents to start driving recklessly. But the DPD is trying to get a head start with a targeted crackdown.
The department plans to monitor more closely reports of illegal drag racing, drifting and reckless driving after a number of penalties were issued over Memorial Day Weekend.
Officials from the department said they believe it is important to keep track of drag racing and drifting in the city because both can result in injury or death.
Commander Anthony O’Rourke said in a press conference this week that the Detroit Police is prepared to take appropriate action against all involved in illegal racing, including ticketing spectators, towing vehicles, forfeiting vehicles, in which the department takes ownership of the car, and making arrests “depending on the level (of involvement).”
O’Rourke said that “all of the above” was done the night of Memorial Day after reports of multiple racing and drifting incidents around the city, and that the department is still monitoring other parties who may have been involved.
One particular incident that occurred on Memorial Day happened at the intersection of Grand River and McGraw, where police foiled a drifting event.
It should also be noted that many of those involved in illegal drag racing aren’t even residents in the city.
Arrests were made for individuals from St. Clair Shores, Howell and even Brighton over Memorial Day. Individuals who have been coming into the city to participate in illegal racing will be penalized, department officials said.
The department also plans to monitor social media, where they have found that individuals have been planning and sending out invitations, locations and even menus for illegal racing to take place. O’Rourke said that the search for those involved on Memorial Day is far from over, and they will be using video tapes from the department’s traffic cameras and local businesses to continue to assess participation in the racing.
“Any given night, Detroit Police Department is goin to have about a hundred officers that’s dedicated to drag racing and drifting along with block party response, and we’re going to respond as soon as citizens call and say there’s an issue of any kind,” O’Rourke added.
“We have a whole bunch of tools to, once again, locate you and take you off the streets, take your car, and do a multitude of different services through our police department to ensure that public safety is our main priority.”
Officials warn that racing and drifting — which is a driving technique where the driver purposely oversteers, with loss of traction, while maintaining control — can escalate into danger quickly due to its taking place in a non-controlled environment where there isn’t the appropriate medical or fire response to intervene in case someone is injured or an accident takes place.
In addition to potentially having one’s vehicle impounded, participants can face a misdemeanor with a $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail.
At Traffic Court Buddy, we believe that every individual should have access to legal representation for any traffic-related charges. From tickets to forfeiture of vehicles, we make it our mission to help provide all the facts to help ensure you receive the minimum possible penalties for any alleged infraction. If you need traffic court representation, reach out today!