ANTIOCH, Tenn. (WKRN) — A new state bill is aiming to address dangerous street racing.

In Antioch, residents and council members say they need the help.

Metro Nashville police have run nine street racing operations this year, leading to 103 stops and 13 arrests. Charges range from evading arrest to felony riot, reckless driving, drag racing and reckless endangerment. Thirty-eight vehicles fled from traffic stops, and 14 vehicles have been towed so far this year.

In 2024, MNPD conducted 19 street racer initiatives based on intelligence for planned meetups, which resulted in 116 traffic stops and the arrest of 21 persons. Last year, 19 vehicles were towed as a result of these initiatives.

Metro Councilmember Joy Styles for District 32 told News 2 that reports of street racing have not slowed.

"I get complaints almost every day about people racing through neighborhoods," Styles explained.

South Nashville roads like Bell Road, Murfreesboro Pike and Old Hickory Boulevard are known speed-racing hot spots. Speeds have reportedly topped over 125 miles per hour during these occurrences.

So far this year, at least seven people have died in street racing-related incidents throughout Davidson County.

"We've lost a lot of young people just senselessly over this stuff, and it has got to stop," Councilmember for District 28 David Benton said.

"We just need to start cracking down," Antioch resident Anthony Coon added.

In response to concerns statewide, Tennessee Representative John Gillespie (R-Memphis) is pushing for new legislation.

He previously backed a bill to let police seize racers' cars. This new proposal goes further.

The bill expands the definition from "Drag racing" to "Street drag racing." It allows law enforcement to seize vehicles while also raising the penalty from a misdemeanor to a Class E Felony.

"That is part of our problem," Styles explained. "We are constantly giving people slaps on the wrist and tsk tsking and waving our fingers, saying don't do that again, and assuming people who did it intentionally, knowing they were breaking the law, will somehow feel remorse."

"One of the things that is added in this particular one is being able to impound a vehicle, and that gets your attention really fast," Benton said.

It also calls for mandatory arrests, so anyone racing or organizing a meetup can no longer just get a citation.

"Seeing that there will be mandatory arrests if you are involved or if you are leading a meetup, that will be fantastic," Styles expressed.

With the new Metro Nashville Police Department Southeast Precinct opening next week, Styles told News 2 this bill would give officers even more tools.

"It puts additional work on our officers when they have to run around and send out the helicopter, and we don't want to pursue people in vehicles, so this will be very helpful," Styles affirmed.

Come January, Styles is calling on state lawmakers to pass this bill.

"As far as I am concerned, this is a nonpartisan issue; this is public safety," Styles concluded. "We all need to be involved in this. So, the more representatives that can get on board with this legislation, support it, sign on, and pass it, the better."

"A lot of our residents will be relieved and feel safer without having to worry about people doing things like that," Coon said.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/state-bill-cracks-down-on-street-racing-antioch-neighbors-say-its-needed/