Street racing increased over last few years

Yahoo

06-05-2025

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Sioux Falls police say street racing has increased over the last few years with the growth of Sioux Falls.
Both the city and the state are cracking down on street, exhibition and drag racing.
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In March, the legislature passed Senate Bill 116, which makes speed racing a class 1 or 2 misdemeanor for drivers and a class 6 felony for race organizers. This law will go into effect on July 1.
The Sioux Falls City Council also passed an ordinance in March that lifts the ban on exhibition driving on private property if the group has a permit authorized by the police department.
Sgt. Travis Olson said the ordinance allows people to 'continue their hobbies' under a safe and official capacity. The intent of the ordinance is to hopefully keep racers and exhibition drivers off public streets.
Before, any form of excessive engine noise, speeding or tire screeching was in violation of the city laws, even on private property. Under the new ordinance, groups must apply for a temporary permit to hold their events on private property. They must also have insurance and safety officers present.
No permits for these driving events will be issued between the hours of 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Although it's hard to pinpoint exactly how many calls the police get for street racing or how many attempts police make to shut it down, Olson did say that the problem has been increasing over the last few years.
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He also said it's difficult to respond to these complaints because the groups tend to race quickly and leave the area before law enforcement arrives. It can be hard to track the frequency of the speed racing, because there can be various reports, like a noise complaint or speeding.
These incidents aren't in isolated areas in Sioux Falls either, Olson added. He did say that a lot of activity occurs on 57th Street, and that 69th Street and Veterans Parkway are also popular spots.
'The truth is we get complaints on it from all over the city,' he said.
Olson wanted to remind the public that exhibition, speed and drag racing is not legal on any public roads in Sioux Falls. He also pointed out that there are drag strips for legal vehicle racing shortly outside of Sioux Falls at the Thunder Valley Dragway and I-90 Speedway.
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