Speed Contests

Speed Contests

VC 23109(a) provides that no person shall engage in any motor vehicle speed contest on a highway. Speed contest section prohibits any motor vehicle speed contests such as racing with another vehicle on a highway or even against a clock. To convict you the prosecution must prove that you were driving a motor vehicle on a highway including a public but not private road, were driving at a high rate of speed in relation to the applicable speed limit or were at least accelerating quickly and intended either to pass or avoid being passed by one or more other cars or to beat a clock or other timing device so as to demonstrate that your car is capable of higher speed or acceleration. A speed contest does not have to be prearranged or formal. It is illegal to aid or abet in a speed contest and includes people who come to watch an illegal, prearranged drag race.It is also illegal to help place a barricade or obstruction on the highway as part of a speed contest. If you are arrested or charged with a traffic related offense contact Christine McGuire, the Santa Cruz Criminal Defense Attorney.