Jacksonville Criminal Lawyer Blog
Jacksonville police recently met to address the issue of racing in Jacksonville, particularly involving teenagers in the summer months. Jacksonville police are actually encouraging people to race on racing tracks as opposed to the roads. Illegal racing has increased in Jacksonville, according to an article on News4Jax.com. Jacksonville police noted that Jacksonville ranked number 3 in the country for motor vehicle accident deaths involving teenagers aged 16-19. A new Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) program seeks to educate teenagers about the dangers of racing on regular roads and allow them to drive on a real racetrack.
In Florida, racing on the roads is a misdemeanor crime. The crime of racing has a broad definition and includes using a vehicle to outgain another vehicle, to prevent another vehicle from passing or to arrive at a destination ahead of another vehicle. The penalties for racing include a possible maximum jail sentence or probation of one year, a fine of $500 to $1,000 and a one year license suspension.