11 Charged, Two
Vehicles Impounded, Exhibition Driving Code Enforced
As a result of
coordinated enforcement efforts among regional law enforcement agencies to
combat reckless drivers this past weekend, the Richmond Police Department
charged 11 individuals and impounded two vehicles. One vehicle was impounded due
to the utilization of Virginia’s exhibition driving statute.
Under Virginia
Code § 46.2-865, exhibition driving occurs when a driver intentionally
operates a vehicle in a manner meant to show off – including burnouts, donuts,
rapid acceleration, or other attention-seeking maneuvers on public roadways or
in parking areas.
On Saturday evening,
groups of drivers gathered vehicles at multiple locations throughout Richmond,
engaging in reckless driving behavior that endangered the public. Through
coordinated information-sharing and enforcement efforts involving the Richmond
Police Department, Chesterfield County Police, Henrico County Police, VCU
Police, the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, and the Virginia State Police, RPD
officers conducted 11 traffic stops involving cars and motorcycles and charged
for multiple violations, including:
·
12
traffic violations
·
10
misdemeanor charges: hit-and-run, reckless driving charges, driving on a
suspended license, and obstruction of justice
·
1
felony charge: possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
·
Exhibition
driving violation resulting in the impoundment of one vehicle
Virginia Code §
46.2-865 authorizes the impoundment of vehicles used in exhibition driving for
up to 20 days. Drivers are responsible for all towing and storage costs
associated with vehicle recovery, in addition to any court-imposed penalties.
“This law provides
officers with a proactive tool to address dangerous driving behavior before it
results in crashes, injuries, or large-scale disruptions, and RPD will continue
to use it to combat reckless driving,” said Richmond Police Chief Rick
Edwards. “This should serve as a warning: if you gather to drive recklessly
and create unsafe conditions for motorists, pedestrians, and businesses, your
vehicle can be impounded.”
