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Board backs tougher impound rules and penalties for 'sideshow' reckless driving
Summary
The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Oct. 20 to amend the police and transportation codes to impose minimum vehicle impound periods for reckless exhibitions, street racing and stunt driving and to authorize stepped penalties for repeat offenses; supporters said the changes respond to a recent spike in dangerous driving events.
The Board of Supervisors on Oct. 20 passed legislation that increases penalties for stunt driving, reckless exhibitions and illegal street racing, including minimum impoundments for vehicles involved in such incidents.
Supervisor Ahsha Safaí introduced the ordinance, which the Board debated at length. The measure makes it unlawful to engage in dangerous exhibitions, speed contests and stunts on public streets and specifies mandatory impoundment periods for vehicles seized in those incidents. Under the ordinance passed on first reading, the first impoundment must last no less than 14 days, the second no less than 15 days and the third no less than 29 days (no single impoundment lasting more than 30 days).
Supporters said the change was necessary because recent “sideshow” events — organized gatherings where drivers perform donuts, high-speed stunts, or other maneuvers that block streets — have become more frequent and dangerous during the COVID-19 period. “This is a phenomenon that’s grown out of control,” Supervisor Aaron Peskin said. Chief Bill Scott told the Board the department supported the measure and noted hundreds of calls for stunt-driving incidents this year, arrests and incidents that had endangered pedestrians and households.
Opponents and some civil-liberties advocates had asked for care to avoid disproportionate enforcement. Supporters and the Police Department said they intend the measure to give officers a consistent legal floor for penalties and to assist with enforcement and queuing of resources.
The ordinance won unanimous support in roll-call votes recorded at the meeting and will proceed through the remaining ordinance steps; the Board recorded the vote on first reading Oct. 20.
