Florida Police Crack Down Hard On Drifting Sideshow Participants

The police in Florida have a unique way of dealing with sideshows and street takeovers. After busting three drivers and finding firearms along the way, one county sheriff laid down a clear line: follow the law or risk losing your car. The hard-hitting message comes not long after Florida passed a law with the specific intention of reducing such behavior behind the wheel.

On March 3rd,  the Broward County Sheriff’s Office followed a group participating in burnouts, drifting, and donuts in public spaces. Among the group, police arrested three drivers, seized cars, found firearms, and cited a number of spectators too. “We start seeing that this thing was most certainly nothing that was a sport or fun,” Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony said at a news conference Thursday.

“Throughout these individuals’ activities, drag racing on public streets, they expose children parents, and other vehicles and pedestrians to pretty much potentially losing their life. These cars are driving in excess of 100+ mph, they’re doing drifting, all types of different tactics and wheelies out there if they’re motorcycle vehicles, and we will not tolerate it,” he continued.

More: Infiniti And BMW Smash Into Each Other Like It’s A Demolition Derby At Sideshow

The tough talk didn’t stop there. With concern over the potential danger to bystanders and other innocent parties, Tony said: “There will be no ticket citations where you’re walking away. We’re going to put you in handcuffs and we’re going to put you in jail.

“We’re going to continue to be aggressive. We’re going to continue to go after these individuals. Expect us to take your car and take you to jail. This is your official warning. Stop the nonsense on our streets before you kill somebody.”  

As for the three individuals arrested last Friday, they’ll face charges related to new Florida law F.S.S. 316.191. It focuses on just this sort of crime and states that first-time offenders shall pay a fine of “not less than $500 and not more than $1,000.” That might sound like a slap on the wrist but those convicted also lose their driver’s license for a year.

Penalties for repeat offenders continue to escalate to the point where fines reach $5,000 and face license revocation of up to 4 years. Residents of other states like California might start calling for similar measures. That state has seemingly seen little success after a number of measures against such behavior have proven fruitless. 

Image Credit: Broward County Sheriff’s Office