Council adopts ordinance banning street racing, citing public safety; ordinance carries emergency clause

Tulsa City Council voted to adopt an ordinance amending Title 37 that defines and prohibits street racing, declaring racing on public streets a public nuisance. The ordinance carried the emergency clause when the council approved a batch of second-reading ordinances during the meeting.

Two members of the public voiced support for the racing ban during the public-comment period. Dean Day, who identified himself as a longtime Tulsa resident, said he supported the ordinance and wanted to understand how it would address a problem he described as affecting quality of life across the city. "I'm here certainly to support this ordinance," Day said, adding he wanted to learn more about how the city will implement it.

Another speaker, introduced by the clerk as John Hopkins, told the council that banning street racing "supports public safety and helps protect neighborhoods, families and emergency responders." Hopkins said eliminating racing on public streets recognizes the importance of lives and "promotes the peace of our neighborhoods." Those comments were met with expressions of appreciation from council members.

A councilor who spoke during deliberations expressed gratitude for collaboration and amendments considered during committee meetings, and said the ordinance would save lives. The chair then called the roll and the council approved items 7 a through 7 r, with the emergency clause applied to 7 a and 7 b.

The ordinance will amend local code to create an enforceable prohibition on street racing; the transcript records no legal challenge or dissent at the council vote. The council approved the measure along with other second-reading ordinances in a packaged vote, and the ordinance will take effect with the emergency clause applied as recorded.