Minnesota law enforcement will continue its effort to crack down on street racing and the danger it presents to the public this summer. Officials shared that Minnesota State Patrol troopers will work with multiple agencies to stop “dangerous driving behaviors” statewide.
“Street racing and intersection takeovers are not innocent acts. They put lives at risk, cause major disturbances to neighborhoods, and damage to private property and public roadways,” Col. Matt Langer, chief of the Minnesota State Patrol, said in a press release.
Officials shared that they will be working from the ground and sky to ensure the “intentional gatherings” can’t occur and that drivers are following the letter of the law.
Members of the public have continuously called for state officials to do more to try and combat street racing after numerous victims lost their lives in accidents stemming from them throughout the last few summers.
“Communities are tired of it. We are dedicated to working with our partners to keep Minnesotans safe and send a message that street racing will not be tolerated,” Langer said.
Street racing became increasingly popular during the summer of 2020 when roadways were all but empty due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With officers ramping up street racing enforcement efforts in the summer of 2021, the Minnesota State Patrol says there has been a reduction in the number of participants and events.
Since March 1, 2023, state officials have conducted 365 stops related to street racing, handing out more than 460 citations and arresting 20 people, 10 of which were DWI arrests.
However, even with increased efforts to combat it, street racing persists, with officials warning, in some cases, that it’s become even more aggressive.
St. Paul Police Sgt. Jermaine Davis shared in a press release that the issue is not just in the Twin Cities but nationwide. Davis says that through their actions, street racers are putting “lives at risk.”
“We are committed, along with our other law enforcement agencies in the metro area, to bringing an end to this illegal activity,” Davis said.
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