Street takeover bill introduced in the N.C. House

RALEIGH, N.C. (WBTV) – A bill designed to stop street takeovers like those recently seen in uptown Charlotte was introduced Thursday in the North Carolina House of Representatives.

Two lawmakers from Charlotte are behind the bill that was filed earlier this week. It seeks to prevent drivers from doing burnouts, street racing and blocking other motorists.

It not only targets the drivers but also the people who gather to watch them.

Related: State lawmaker drafting law to address street stunts and takeovers in Charlotte

The first offense would include a $1,000 fine. If they do it again within two years, it’ll be a felony and the fine would jump to double the amount of the car’s value and the car will be seized.

In a statement, Rep. Carolyn Logan, who introduced the bill told WBTV:

“Currently, Speaker of the House Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) has directed the bill to be heard in the committees on Transportation, Judiciary 2, and the Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House before being able to be heard on the House Floor.”

Rep. Mary Belk of Mecklenburg County and Rep. Jay Adams of Catawba County told WBTV Thursday they are supporting the bill because it’s a matter of public safety.

“It’s public safety obviously, but it’s also law and order,” Rep. Adams said. “It’s a sense of order in our communities that you’re trying to restore here.”

Rep. Belk said she feels confident the bill will succeed.

“We can’t have people, especially in Charlotte where it’s densely populated, stopping traffic, doing maneuvers, doing stunts that could potentially hurt somebody,” she said.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said they’ve already issued more than 50 citations and arrested at least seven people in connection with street takeovers so far in 2023.

Copyright 2023 WBTV. All rights reserved.