HARRISBURG, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — A bill that supporters say is aimed at “putting the brakes on illegal street racing” is on its way to the Pennsylvania House, after passing the State Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support.
Bucks County Republican State Sen. Frank Farry’s bill would increase fines, impound participants’ vehicles and punish organizers.
“People are organizing what they're calling ‘meetups’ in intersections and in parking lots and essentially taking them over, doing what older folks may call ‘donuts,’ which is now referred to as ‘drifting,’” Farry said.
“The organizers are taking to social media and announcing that these events will be taking place. And you know, but for the organization of them, these men and women would not be showing up with their fancy cars and doing what they're doing.”
Farry’s bill would up the fine for a first offense to $500. Repeat offenders could face a $2,000 fine, prison time, and the impound of their cars.
“Numerous police officers have been injured in the process, being struck by vehicles. One of the drivers was actually shot and killed in Philadelphia after striking some troopers. They were injured in the process. So these dangerous precedents need some addressing statutorily.”
Last June 18-year-old Anthony Allegrini Jr. was shot and killed by Pennsylvania State Police in Philadelphia after, officers say, he hit two law enforcement officials as he was fleeing a meet-up on I-95 near Penn’s Landing. In 2022, two people were killed by a man fleeing a rally in Wildwood. That same year, there was a serious car crash by a driver who police say was trying to get away from a meet-up at the Willow Grove Mall.
The bill passed the Senate 49-1 with Philadelphia Democrat Nikil Saval the only vote against. It now heads to the Pennsylvania House.