Teenage drivers can have the impulse to test limits. Whether they are influenced by their friends, responding in kind to a challenge, fleeing from an overly-aggressive driver, or satisfying their own curiosity, teenage drivers are at risk for street racing. Movies and TV shows glorify street racing. However, unlike in the movies and on TV shows, street racing is highly dangerous and places lives at stake. It is also considered a crime in the state of Connecticut. On this page, you can learn more about Connecticut street racing and the consequences it can have for your teenager.

Street Racing

Racing is illegal in Connecticut. Racing accidents can injure more than just the drivers. Everyone in the area is placed in danger because of the forces involved in a high-speed accident. Connecticut’s roads are not meant to be used as race tracks. Your car or truck is not a high-performance racing car. Teenage drivers are not trained professionals. Racing is highly dangerous, and Connecticut’s police officer’s respond seriously to street racing incidents.

Connecticut’s laws provide for severe penalties for teenage drivers who street race. Street racing is a misdemeanor offense in Connecticut. If your child is arrested for street racing, their driver’s license will be suspended for six months by the DMV, and they face up to one year in jail for a first offense. Second offenders face a longer driver’s license suspension and more severe court penalties.

In addition to criminal penalties, a person responsible for an accident due to street racing could face civil penalties. If an accident occurs, and your child was responsible for the accident, you may be liable for the damages associated with the situation. This means that your family may have to pay for damages to another vehicle, damages to the roads or other property, and injuries that other people sustained in the accident. All of this is in addition to any fines that a criminal court imposes.

Getting Help

The consequences of Connecticut street racing can be very serious for your child as well as your whole family. They put their own life as well as other people’s lives in jeopardy. They can also damage your property, if they are driving your car, as well as other people’s property. If you need help because your teenager faces a street racing charge, consider contacting us. We can walk your family through this process and protect you during this difficult time. For more information, call our office.