Houston, TX has seen a dramatic rise in the incidence of illegal street racing over the years. This prompted a major containment operation, known as ERACER, by the HPD in 2002. The operation netted several hundred offenders. But the actual charges filed were for offenses other than street racing. Unfortunately, the operation prompted a major backlash that turned into a public relations nightmare for the HPD. All charges were dismissed. The HPD remains apparently “gunshy” about openly going after street racers.
The HPD’s hands off approach to illegal street racing could only serve to encourage would be street racers. These wannabe racers are drawn to Houston by the thousands, just to race illegally in the streets. Some lose their lives here in the accidents the activity has caused. And the serious street racing problem in Houston, TX remains.
In response to the street racing problem in Houston, TX, the County Sheriff’s office began an initiative to crack down on would be street racers. Their efforts focused initially on Southwest Harris County and the Mission Bend area, which has become a magnet for illegal street racing. Sheriff Adrian Garcia stated that the best they could probably do would be to keep illegal street racing disorganized. Authorities all over the country seem to acknowledge that illegal street racing is a problem that can’t be stopped.
Stiffer penalties, stepped up patrols and enforcement, speed bumps, impounding of cars, and the risk of an ugly death in a street racing accident could all help to reduce the street racing problem in Houston, TX. The U.S. DOJ’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) published a lengthy guide to street racing solutions a few years back. I took a look at it. To me, as a lawyer, it looks like it was written by and for lawyers. I’m not sure how useful it is to the “cops” on the ground that have to confront the street racing problem in Houston, TX head-on day after day. In any case, the problem of would-be street racers congregating in Houston persists.
If you’ve suffered injuries from one of the many street racing accidents, or lost a family member to such a crash, you may face long-lasting and devastating problems. Life-long injuries and medical expenses compounded by emotional trauma and a long recovery period where you can’t work all take a huge toll on victims of illegal street racing events.
You need the just financial compensation you could obtain for your losses from the wreck. But navigating the legal system after such an accident, especially when those who caused your wreck might all be teenagers with no resources, can present enormous challenges. You need a dedicated Houston, TX personal injury lawyer experienced in navigating the legal hurdles of such a case.
Call us for your free, initial legal consultation. We could discuss the particular circumstances of your accident, explain your legal options, and help you understand the legal path that is best for your case. So give us call. The consultation is free. Your successful case results could be priceless.