Is your child in the right car seat? You could be charged if not.
Street Racer Drives Over 100 mph With a Child in the Vehicle With No Car Seat
According to a KSAT News report, a street racer was arrested for racing on a highway and endangering a child on January 6th in Bexar County.
Bexar County Sheriff’s Office reported the incident occurred on January 6th on the 8800 Block of I-10 East. The driver of a Porsche was caught racing another vehicle in the westbound lanes, driving over 100 mph. When a deputy initiated the traffic stop, the Porsche pulled over, and the other driver fled the scene. The deputy observed a 6-year-old in the backseat wearing a seatbelt but not in a child safety seat. The driver was arrested for street racing and endangering a child with the risk of bodily injury.
Did You Know?
A recent change in Texas law allows authorities to seize vehicles involved in street racing.
Street Racing Injury in San Antonio
Ever since the pandemic, street racing increased dramatically in San Antonio and across Texas.
The seemingly endless miles of Texas roads make street racing very tempting, but it’s illegal for a reason — 31% of street racing accidents end in fatality. Pedestrians, other drivers, and the participants themselves are seriously injured or even killed every year in San Antonio because of a stupid mistake.
Why Do People Engage in Street Racing?
The average age range for a street racer is 18 to 24, and they are almost always male (over 90%). The reasons why most claim to engage in street racing are not very surprising considering this information:
- Peer Pressure — If their friends or family are doing it, they will be more likely to participate to fit in.
- Thrill Seeking — Pushing the limits of your new vehicle and driving ability are major pulls to engage in street racing.
- Recognition or Status — Being the guy that wins the races or is an incredibly skilled driver in his friend group is a major pull toward the illegal sport.
Street Racing is Negligence Per Se
Should you have to pay because some kid thought street racing was cool? Texas law says no.
Negligence per se in injury cases essentially means skipping the part where you have to prove the other party was behaving negligently, which is a requirement for personal injury claims.
Since street racing violates a statute, you don’t have to make a case convincing a jury they were negligent if someone hurts you while street racing. You only have to prove that they were street racing, and they are essentially negligent by default.
What Is Street Racing?
Texas law defines street racing as:
- outgain or outdistance another vehicle or prevent another vehicle from passing;
- arrive at a given destination ahead of another vehicle or vehicles; or
- test the physical stamina or endurance of an operator over long-distance driving.²
Drag racing, which falls under this category, is defined as:
- two or more vehicles from a point side by side at accelerating speeds in a competitive attempt to outdistance each other; or
- one or more vehicles over a common selected course, from the same place to the same place, for the purpose of comparing the relative speeds or power of acceleration of the vehicle or vehicles in a specified distance or time.²
Injured by a Street Racer? Contact Carabin Shaw
You could be entitled to compensation if you were hurt by a street racer in San Antonio. We’ll help you find out for free.
Contact Carabin Shaw at 800-862-1260 or use the live chat at the bottom right of your screen to get free expert advice on your injury case. We look forward to serving you.