Shapiro signs new law to up street racing penalties in Pennsylvania: Fines, vehicle confiscation

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — The "Fast and Furious" could become the "Fast and Confiscated" under a new Pennsylvania street racing bill signed into law by Governor Shapiro Wednesday.

The new law, an amendment to Act 75 (rules of the road in general) will increase fines for street racing from $250 to $500 on first offense. Starting with a second offense, the fine will not only increase to $2,000 but if found guilty, you could be sentenced to six months in prison.

In addition to fines and possible jail time, law enforcement can also confiscate and impound your vehicle after your first offense — and sell it as unclaimed property if not retrieved within 30 days with fines paid in full.

The amendment reads that organizers of the "meet up" that brings the vehicles and drivers together could also face charges and fines. Should serious injuries or death happen, they would be facing a felony of the third degree.

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Street racing grew in popularity over the years, starting around the time the first Fast and Furious film, starring Paul Walker, hit theaters. 10 movies later and law enforcement are still in a battle against the illegal drag races.

The street racing amendments to Act 75, introduced by Rep. Kathleen Tomlinson (R-Bucks County) and Rep. Joe Hogan (R-Bucks County), come after an incident in Philadelphia where a racer struck two state troopers and was ultimately shot.

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"While street racing might be seen as fun in cool Hollywood action scenes, street racing that happens in our communities is incredibly dangerous. It puts the drivers, spectators, personal property, commerce, and innocent people's lives on the line," Tomlinson and Hogan noted in the original 2023 memorandum .