[ad_1]
ANTIOCH, Tenn. (WKRN) — A brand new state invoice is aiming to handle harmful avenue racing.
In Antioch, residents and council members say they want the assistance.
Metro Nashville police have run 9 avenue racing operations this yr, resulting in 103 stops and 13 arrests. Expenses vary from evading arrest to felony riot, reckless driving, drag racing and reckless endangerment. Thirty-eight automobiles fled from visitors stops, and 14 automobiles have been towed to this point this yr.
In 2024, MNPD performed 19 avenue racer initiatives based mostly on intelligence for deliberate meetups, which resulted in 116 visitors stops and the arrest of 21 individuals. Final yr, 19 automobiles had been towed because of these initiatives.
📧 Have breaking information come to you: Subscribe to Information 2 e mail alerts →
Metro Councilmember Pleasure Types for District 32 instructed Information 2 that studies of avenue racing haven’t slowed.
“I get complaints nearly on daily basis about individuals racing via neighborhoods,” Types defined.
South Nashville roads like Bell Street, Murfreesboro Pike and Previous Hickory Boulevard are identified speed-racing sizzling spots. Speeds have reportedly topped over 125 miles per hour throughout these occurrences.
Up to now this yr, at the very least seven individuals have died in avenue racing-related incidents all through Davidson County.
“We’ve misplaced numerous younger individuals simply senselessly over these items, and it’s got to cease,” Councilmember for District 28 David Benton stated.
“We simply want to start out cracking down,” Antioch resident Anthony Coon added.
In response to considerations statewide, Tennessee Consultant John Gillespie (R-Memphis) is pushing for new laws.
He beforehand backed a invoice to let police seize racers’ vehicles. This new proposal goes additional.
The invoice expands the definition from “Drag racing” to “Road drag racing.” It permits legislation enforcement to grab automobiles whereas additionally elevating the penalty from a misdemeanor to a Class E Felony.
“That’s a part of our drawback,” Types defined. “We’re continually giving individuals slaps on the wrist and tsk tsking and waving our fingers, saying don’t do this once more, and assuming individuals who did it deliberately, realizing they had been breaking the legislation, will one way or the other really feel regret.”
“One of many issues that’s added on this specific one is with the ability to impound a automobile, and that will get your consideration actually quick,” Benton stated.
It additionally requires necessary arrests, so anybody racing or organizing a meetup can not simply get a quotation.
“Seeing that there can be necessary arrests if you’re concerned or if you’re main a meetup, that can be implausible,” Types expressed.
With the brand new Metro Nashville Police Division Southeast Precinct opening subsequent week, Types instructed Information 2 this invoice would give officers much more instruments.
⏩ Learn at this time’s prime tales on wkrn.com
“It places extra work on our officers after they should run round and ship out the helicopter, and we don’t need to pursue individuals in automobiles, so this can be very useful,” Types affirmed.
Come January, Types is asking on state lawmakers to cross this invoice.
“So far as I’m involved, this can be a nonpartisan problem; that is public security,” Types concluded. “All of us must be concerned on this. So, the extra representatives that may get on board with this laws, assist it, signal on, and cross it, the higher.”
“Plenty of our residents can be relieved and really feel safer with out having to fret about individuals doing issues like that,” Coon stated.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This materials is probably not printed, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
[ad_2]
