Seattle City Council to vote on steeper fines for street racing

A new law just went into effect across Washington earlier this month, targeting anyone who plays a part in street racing and street take over events.

SEATTLE - Seattle City Council is set to vote on a new heftier fine for street racers.

A new law just went into effet in Washington earlier this month, targeting anyone who plays a part in street racing and street tag over events. Anyone who is caught helping out or cheering it on, could be just as guilty as the person behind the wheel.

Seattle leaders are now focused on shifting the street racing culture in the city after other cities changed their laws.

The new proposal wants to hit street racers and spectators harder with larger fines.

The original fine for violating Seattle's new street racing ordinance would have been $500. After community members complained, some councilmembers decided to not only raise the fine but ticket attendees.

"I strongly support this as a deterrent of attendees, which at times can number into hundreds, hundreds," said Councilmember Rob Saka. "These events, as you know, can devolve into large out-of-control events with massive repercussions including possible injuries or worse, death. We’ve seen it."

Cracking down on spectators is what some city councilmembers were apprehensive to doing, even though it is technically state law now. They don't want the innocent to be caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The new amended measure would mean: