I'm a passionate street racer from Knoxville, TN. For people like me who enjoy this thrilling activity, it's more than a hobby; it's a way of life. However, our love of street racing is under constant scrutiny and rendered illegal. At the same time, lenient punishments for much more dangerous acts such as drunk driving exist.

There seems to be an imbalance in the system. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that an estimated 29 people die daily in the US due to drunk driving, which translates to one person every 50 minutes. Despite the severe consequences, penalties for drunk driving in many jurisdictions remain relatively light.

On the other hand, outlawing street racing eliminates an outlet for enthusiasts, pushing them either to quit or to participate in illicit races, thereby increasing the risk of accidents. With the proper safety regulations, such as closed temporary racing tracks, monitoring, and emergency facilities availability, street racing can be made safer.

Our proposal is twofold: we demand the legalization of street racing under strict safety regulations and much harsher punishments for drunk driving. As taught by the Knoxville local community who enjoy the sport, street racing doesn’t have to be dangerous when executed correctly. Severe consequences for drunk driving, meanwhile, can act as a better deterrent, potentially saving many lives on the road.

Help us achieve a safer, more balanced judiciary system regarding road safety. If you, like me, see the sense in legalizing street racing and clamping down harder on drunk driving, please sign our petition. With enough voices, we can evoke change.