The Fort Worth City Council has unanimously passed a measure that establishes a fine of up to $500 for people who gather to watch, support or take video and pictures of street racing or exhibitions.
Police started asking for tougher punishments after an innocent couple was killed in November while driving near their home in South Fort Worth.
November 6, Meg and Ben Arbour were killed when police say they were pulling onto Risinger Road and were hit by a car that was racing. The crash killed the parents of four as well as the person driving a car that was racing. Police never found the other car involved in the race.
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"It's a very dangerous situation, and it's a major irritant across our city," says City Councilman Jungus Jordan. "It takes very valuable police resources that could be used elsewhere if our drivers were more responsible."
Since November of 2019, Fort Worth police say they have received 2,500 calls for racing or "reckless driving exhibitions." Police had already set up surveillance cameras in areas with large numbers of calls about racing or stunting. They have also been using undercover officers.
"It's going to be a constant item for us to review, and the council needs to work with PD on enforcement actions, giving them the tools necessary to ensure the public safety of our right-of-way and proper use of our officers," Jordan says.
The measure also sets a fine of up to $500 for anyone who allows stunts that are not licensed on property they own.
The penalties take effect immediately.
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