Racing Companies Launch Campaign to Combat Illegal Street Racing in Orlando

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on August 29, 2012

Several Central Florida auto racing companies have announced that they are working together to launch a campaign intended to reduce the amount of illegal street racing on area roadways. The announcement for the “Off the Streets and to the Race Track” campaign comes days after a street racing accident on Heintzelman Road injured nearly a dozen people. Organizers say that the program will begin this coming September and will provide a safe alternative to street racing by letting drivers race their cars on local race tracks instead of streets. They have been trying to rally support for the idea for some time, but their efforts have been met with some resistance. Less than two weeks before the recent crash on Heintzelman Road, Orange County commissioners unanimously rejected a proposal to allow drag racing to continue at a track in the Southchase neighborhood.

Police say that one of the participants in the race that injured nearly 12 people was traveling around 100 mph when he lost control of his car and plowed into spectators, injuring two of them critically. Vinne Barbe and other managers of the Central Florida Racing Complex criticized the commissioners’ response to their proposal. They pointed to the high-profile accident as proof that an alternative solution to street racing is badly needed. Barbe acknowledged neighbors’ concerns about noise levels from the proposed racing sites but said that a little noise a couple of nights each week was far better than accidents like the recent Heintzelman Road accident. He said that unless something is done, there will be more street racing accidents in Central Florida.

"We made it abundantly clear we thought this would happen," he said. "It’s not going to be pretty. My prediction? Not good. There is going to be street deaths."

At least 16 people have been killed and dozens more injured in street racing accidents in our area since 2005. Racing Complex organizers say that if everything goes according to plan, racers can test their machines on Thursday and some Saturday nights at Stingray Dragway in Lakeland beginning this fall.

James O. Cunningham and other Orlando personal injury attorneys support any measures that discourage street racing and make area roadways safer for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians. If you or a loved one has been injured in a street racing accident, you may be entitled to seek damages against the parties responsible for causing the accident. Call 800-425-2004 today to schedule a free consultation with Mr. Cunningham to learn more about your rights and legal options.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.