Governor Newsom signs bipartisan bills to address sideshows and street takeovers

News

Sep 23, 2024

What you need to know: Governor Newsom signed four bills today to help law enforcement crack down on dangerous sideshows and street takeovers. These new laws will hold participants and organizers accountable by providing law enforcement with the tools to seize vehicles involved in these illegal activities.

SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom signed bipartisan legislation today to impose stricter penalties, increase accountability, and strengthen law enforcement's ability to combat sideshows and street takeovers. These measures mark a step forward in improving road safety across California by addressing the rise of illegal street activities that endanger the safety of drivers, pedestrians, and communities. These new laws provide law enforcement with enhanced tools to more effectively deter illegal activities such as drifting, street racing, and blocking intersections during sideshows and street takeovers.

"Sideshows are reckless, criminal activities that endanger our communities. We have seen too many people killed or hurt at these events. Today, we are sending a clear message to anyone considering participating in or attending a sideshow: stricter penalties are in place, including the potential loss of your vehicle."

Governor Gavin Newsom

Communities throughout California report increased sideshow activities and street takeovers. These dangerous events, where people race vehicles and shut down streets to perform stunts, can quickly turn deadly, often leading to accidents, spectator injuries, and other criminal activity, and block roadways and disrupt traffic flow, including access for emergency vehicles.

Participants, organizers, and spectators be warned

These new laws expand vehicle impoundment authority for law enforcement, including for spectators and those aiding in illegal speed contests and sideshows, while also standardizing terminology for "sideshows" and "street takeovers" statewide, and targeting reckless driving activities on highways and parking lots.

Governor Newsom today strengthened California's ability to improve road safety by signing the following bills:

• AB 1978 by Assemblymember Kate Sanchez (R-Rancho Santa Margarita) - Vehicles: speed contests
• AB 2186 by Assemblymember Greg Wallis (R-Palm Springs) - Vehicles: impoundment
• AB 2807 by Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua (D-Stockton) - Vehicles: sideshows and street takeovers
• AB 3085 by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) - Vehicles: removal and impoundment

Stronger enforcement. Serious penalties. Real consequences.

Today's signing follows the Governor's recent signing of landmark legislation providing law enforcement and prosecutors with additional tools to arrest and prosecute criminals for smash-and-grabs, retail theft, auto burglaries, and other property crime. While California's crime rate remains near historic lows, these laws help California adapt to evolving criminal tactics to ensure perpetrators are effectively held accountable.

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