Salinas passes street racing spectator ban

The City of Salinas has unanimously passed an ordinance “prohibiting spectators at street races and reckless driving exhibitions.”

It was a 7-0 vote in Tuesday’s city council meeting.

The new law adds penalties of up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail for attending one of these illegal events, with the city attorney able to file the case as a misdemeanor. The first violation is s $250 fine. The second (within a 12-month period), $500. The third and subsequent violations result in that maximum penalty.

From the ordinance:

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to: (1) Be knowingly present as a Spectator at a Street Race conducted on a public street or highway; or (2) Be knowingly present as a Spectator at a Reckless Driving Exhibition conducted on a public street or highway or in an Offstreet Parking Facility. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to: (1) Be knowingly present as a Spectator where Preparations are being made for a Street Race conducted on a public street or highway; or (2) Be knowingly present as a Spectator where Preparations are being made for a Reckless Driving

The ordinance takes effect and is enforceable in 30 days.