Lawmakers Support 2 Bills Aimed At Curbing NYC Street Racing

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — Three state lawmakers and leaders in the Washington Heights community joined forces Thursday in Inwood to show support for the passage of two bills aimed at curbing street racing and holding reckless drivers accountable.

During a news conference, Sens. Robert Jackson, Brad Hoylman, Andrew Gounardes called for their legislative colleagues to help get the FURIOUS Act and SLEEP Act across "the finish line" and into law.

"We all must do everything we can in both state and local government to ensure that this summer is a safer and more peaceful one than last," said Sen. Jackson, a co-sponsor of both bills.

The FURIOUS Act would authorize New York City to operate its speed camera program overnight and on weekends in areas that have been shown to be hot spots for illegal street racing. The bill would also change New York’s laws on races and speed contests to address prior case law that makes it difficult to hold racers accountable for violating those laws if they did not pre-plan a race course.

“New York needs to turn its speed cameras on 24/7. Illegal street racing puts lives at risk and keeps us up at night," Sen. Hoylman, the bill's sponsor, said.

According to Sen. Gounardes, neighborhoods across the five boroughs have seen a disproportionate amount of street racing and reckless driving.

"For far too long, we’ve been inundated with the sounds of souped-up cars with exhaust modifications barreling down our avenues. This culture of driving is dangerous, and has not only increased complaints, but it’s taken lives and impeded the safety of our community members," he said.

City data shows that 191 complaints were made to 311 about “drag racing” in March 2021, compared to just 13 complaints in March 2019. A total of 2,344 complaints were made between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021 – more than five times the 429 calls made during the same period a year prior.

"In this past year, community members have shared countless incidents of being nearly run-over by all types of vehicles. Intersections are routinely unsafe for drivers and pedestrians alike, and of course, there have been crashes," Claudia Schaer, Founder of Washington Heights and Inwood for Respectful Decibel Levels, said.

New York City’s speed camera program is currently limited by law to operating between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. on weekdays. The FURIOUS Act would authorize the city to operate speed cameras at any time in neighborhoods — including school speed zones — where the community has identified illegal street racing as a problem.

As for the SLEEP Act, it would set a 95 decibel limit for motorcycle exhaust and mufflers or 60 decibels for car mufflers and exhaust systems. It would also require any police vehicle to be equipped with a decibel reader and increase the maximum fine for loud exhaust from $125 to $1,000.

"Noise has become a public health issue. Non-confrontational solutions are what we need to get our neighborhoods back on track," Johanna Garcia, a candidate for City Council District 10, which consists of Inwood, Marble Hill and Washington Heights.

A senate transportation committee has already passed the two bills. Supporters of the bills now hope they pass in the NY Senate this legislative session and ultimately make it to the governor's desk to be signed into law.