Seattle City Council adopts new tools to fight illegal street racing

Today, the City Council approved legislation better defining illegal street racing and giving the city new tools to address it. The bill, sponsored by Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7) and Councilmember Tanya Woo (Position 8) in close partnership with City Attorney Ann Davison, creates a new traffic infraction of $500 for registered owners involved in racing and classifies the crime as a reckless driving gross misdemeanor, in-line with state law.

"We heard loud and clear from our constituents that they're frustrated with the prevalence of street racing," said Councilmember Kettle who serves as chair of Public Safety Committee. "I'm proud we've worked with the City Attorney to take meaningful action in adopting these new tools to help SPD respond to these incidents. These races pose a clear and present danger to the neighborhoods they're held in. I want to thank my colleagues, particularly Councilmember Woo and Councilmember Saka, for their support."

"I applaud the Council for taking action on this important legislation, because it is crucial to address the growing problem of illegal street racing," said City Attorney Davison. "There have been deaths, injuries, shootings, and more, and this legislation creates a tool that will make a significant positive impact on this public safety issue."

"We've listened closely to community members from Alki Beach to Belltown to Capitol Hill. The call for safer streets is loud and clear," said CouncilmemberWoo. "We must do something to discourage this reckless behavior before it causes greater harm. I'm confident that this legislation will turn the tide on this dangerous public disorder."

Background

Illegal street has increasingly been the focus of local media attention and constituent concerns. On July 23, 2023, three people were wounded by gunfire and one person was fatally shot during an unlawful racing event in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. During a weekend in June, a pair of illegal racing events resulted in the tragic shooting death of 22-year-old man, multiple shooting injuries, and a car striking a pedestrian.

During the 2023 legislative session, the Washington State Legislature passed Senate Bill 5606 deterring illegal racing. The legislation, which became law in 2024, expands the scope of conduct prohibited as illegal racing under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), and further defines illegal racing behavior beyond speed contests, and creates new impound and forfeiture authority for vehicles used in illegal racing.

What the City's legislation does

The new ordinance amends the city code on illegal racing by creating a new traffic infraction penalizing the registered owner of a vehicle involved in racing and by adopting the state law changes.

• Adoption of the state law now gives the City Attorney's Office the statutory authority to now prosecute illegal racing as misdemeanor and gross misdemeanors crimes.
• Vehicles owners and participants are subject to a $500 non-criminal traffic infraction. Adopted amendments by Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1) increase the fine to $800 for a second infraction, and $1,500 for third and subsequent infractions.
• Any person knowingly attending an unlawful race event with the intent to observe, support, or encourage the event may face a civil infraction base fine of $100 if they fail to leave the event if instructed to do so by officers.

Next steps

As emergency legislation, the new law will go into effect immediately if signed by the mayor.

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