Home California Fong’s Bill to Crack Down on Illegal Sideshows Now Signed into Law

Fong’s Bill to Crack Down on Illegal Sideshows Now Signed into Law

by ECT
Sideshow

SACRAMENTO – On Thursday, Assembly Bill 3, authored by Assemblyman Vince Fong (R-Kern County), was signed into law by the Governor. AB 3 cracks down on illegal street racing by allowing courts to issue a driver’s license suspension for up to six months for participating in dangerous sideshows.

“Illegal sideshows continue to devastate families, claim innocent lives in our communities, and create serious risks for our youth,” said Assemblyman Fong. “Proactive enforcement is critical to stopping dangerous sideshows before they start. This law will make our streets safer for everyone and together, we will send a strong message that this dangerous activity will not be tolerated.”

Despite the state’s long history of illegal sideshows, Fong’s bill also assigns the first legal definition to “sideshow” in California statute—better equipping law enforcement to take action on dangerous sideshows.

As written in AB 3, “sideshows” occur when two or more vehicles block or impede traffic on a highway, for the purpose of performing vehicle stunts, speed contests, or reckless driving, for an audience.

Last year alone, the California Highway Patrol responded to over 25,000 calls involving illegal street racing activity. The Bakersfield Police Department fielded over 6,000 calls involving illegal street racing activity in 2020.

Spearheaded by Assemblyman Vince Fong, AB 3 was co-authored by a bipartisan group of lawmakers including Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale), Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian (D-San Fernando Valley), Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills), and Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park).

AB 3 is supported by a large coalition of statewide law enforcement, local government, victims’ rights groups, and traffic safety groups.

 

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

 

AB 3, Fong. Exhibition of speed on a highway: punishment.
Existing law prohibits a person from engaging in a motor vehicle exhibition of speed on a highway or aiding or abetting in a motor vehicle exhibition of speed on any highway. Upon conviction, existing law punishes a person by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than 90 days, by a fine of not more than $500, or by both that fine and imprisonment.
This bill would, commencing July 1, 2025, additionally authorize the court to order the privilege to operate a motor vehicle suspended for 90 days to 6 months and restrict the person’s operation of a motor vehicle for the purposes of their employment, as specified. The bill would require the court to consider a person’s hardships, as specified, when deciding to either suspend or restrict a driver’s license. The bill would require the Department of Motor Vehicles to suspend or restrict a driver’s license as ordered by the court.

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6 comments

W Willie Oct 8, 2021 - 10:58 am

How’s that going to work out ? Asian lawmaker making laws against black recreation.

Say it ain’t so Oct 8, 2021 - 9:19 pm

You do realize that a large portion of the participants in these illegal events are of Asian descent. Troll somewhere else and continue to hide behind your keyboard, racist coward. All your posts have the same old racist overtones and bring nothing of substance to conversation. Move or STFU.

W Willie Oct 10, 2021 - 9:10 am

Censor when you don’t like the truth .

N. J. Owens Oct 9, 2021 - 3:47 pm

This law will go over like a cold turd!

Sad sad state Oct 9, 2021 - 3:56 pm

Who will enforce this? Nobody backs the police as it is and you expect them to attempt to crack down on those lawless events. You expect them to run in their with clipped wings. Stupid ass politicians, all of you.

Mark Stevens Oct 12, 2021 - 6:41 am

This is a nothing law. This activity will not stop until it is considered a Felony with mandatory jail time. Does anyone really think that suspending a license for 6 months will stop any of this activity? Why don’t we just give them a hug and tell them not to do it again. IDIOTS!

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