Res. No. 687
Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the New York State Governor to sign, S.1768/A.2585, the “Drag Racing and Speeding Enforcement Act,” which would impose five points on a driver’s license for being convicted of participating in speed contests and races
By Council Member Abreu
Whereas, Illegal drag racing and speed contests generally involve motor vehicles racing, competing, or engaging in exhibitions of speed on public roadways without lawful authorization; and
Whereas, Illegal drag racing and speed contests pose serious risks to motorists, pedestrians, spectators, and other street users across the nation, including in New York State (“NYS”) and New York City (“NYC”); and
Whereas, In recent years, illegal drag racing and speed contests have received wide press coverage in NYS and NYC, and have resulted in serious injuries and fatalities involving participants, bystanders, and other road users; and
Whereas, According to the NYC Department of Transportation’s report entitled “New York City Driver Behavior Study: The Rise of Reckless Driving, 2020-2023,” reports of drag racing in NYC increased substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 311 complaints related to drag racing rising from 392 in 2019 to nearly 3,000 in 2021; and
Whereas, In 2023, 311 complaints related to drag racing declined, however, NYC still received 1,296 311 complaints related to drag racing that year; and
Whereas, Although comprehensive citywide data on the prevalence of illegal drag racing and speed contests in NYC during 2024 and 2025 is limited, dangerous incidents involving such conduct have continued to occur and have continued to be reported on by media; and
Whereas, NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law (“VTL”) § 1182 prohibits any person from engaging in, aiding, or abetting an unlawful race, exhibition, contest of speed, or other speed contest on a highway; and
Whereas, A first conviction under VTL § 1182 constitutes a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days of imprisonment, a fine between $300 or $525, or both, while a second conviction within 12 months is punishable by up to six months of imprisonment, a fine between $525 and $750, or both; and
Whereas, Despite these criminal penalties, current NYS law does not impose an additional driver-license point penalty specifically for a conviction under VTL § 1182; and
Whereas, S.1768, sponsored by NYS Senator Nathalia Fernandez, and A.2585, sponsored by NYS Assemblymember Nader Sayegh, would enact the “Drag Racing and Speeding Enforcement Act,” which would impose five points on a driver’s license for being convicted of participating in speed contests and races; and
Whereas, S.1768/A.2585 would strengthen penalties for illegal drag racing and speed contests by providing an additional deterrent against unsafe and illegal driving that endangers participants, bystanders, and other road users; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the New York State Governor to sign, S.1768/A.2585, the “Drag Racing and Speeding Enforcement Act,” which would impose five points on a driver’s license for being convicted of participating in speed contests and races.
KK
LS 26083
9/15/26