Hot Rods HEADS-UP OHIO!!!!! Lawmakers are out to SCREW US AGAIN!!!

Here's an email that just started circulating...

Hello,

My name is Margaret Box and I co-own a performance engine building company in Ohio called Box Performance. We are fighting a new bill in Ohio that affects car enthusiasts and all associated events & organizations.

Bill 191 also known as the Monica Durban law has been created in response to an accident that occurred last year. Monica Durban was struck by a car and injured after it crossed the medium after participating in a street race. The driver that struck her was found to be intoxicated at the time of the accident. Street Racing was not proven to be a cause of the accident as the driver struck her after the race was over.

The result law enables police officers to seize performance cars without a warrant on the first offense. This law also expands the definition of street racing to include "any exhibition of speed or acceleration that is inconsistent with the normal operation of a vehicle on a public road, street, or highway." This law leaves the decision up to the police officer on the street with no guidance as to the interpretation of the law or what is or isn't normal.

In comparison, drunk drivers don't get their car seized until the 4th offense in Ohio.

We feel that this law will greatly affect car shows, charities, and business in Ohio that depend upon the car enthusiasts for their income. If car enthusiasts risk losing their ride to over zealous police officers many owners will not drive their cars to local events such as your Good-guys event in Columbus. We also feel that it will increase the number of owners who will chose to run in order to save their rides.

As a owner of a 1965 supercharged corvette, we have been pulled over many times by police officers who don't understand the nature of the beast. Sometimes they are too young to know what a muscle car is and how it drives. This law gives them the ability to seize vehicles for any action inconsistent with a "normal" car.

Please take some time to review this new bill at the link below:

http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/analysis.cfm?ID=128_HB_191&hf=analyses128/h0191-i-128.htm

We don't support or encourage street racing, but feel that this law is too vague and gives individual police officers too much control. We have already collected 1,000 signatures for a petition, but we are looking to find support in organizations that will be affected by this new law if it passes the Ohio Senate. It has already passed the Ohio House on December 2, 2009.

Thank you for your time,

Margaret Box
Box Performance

Get involved and do whatever you can!

 

bttt for the Ohio folk.

Better get involved or get screwed by "the man".

 

Hey Kirk thanks for the heads-up. I grew up in OH and still have a lot of friends back there that are into cars. I will pass this along to them. Who knows, I might be visiting there some day and get screwed myself.

Tom

 

Even though I'm not in Ohio, thanks Kirk, for spreading the word and looking out.

 

they got HOT RODs in Ohio?

 

Thanks Kirk, something we all need to be aware of. Scary thought! Ohio now..what state next?

 

Exactly. Politicians like to use laws that have passed in other states to help their "cause" in their state.

 

I'm next door in the Hoosier state, and if they pass a law such as this---I will stay on my side of the Border. (that might make some Buckeyes happy).
Your right...who would want to come to an event, and risk losing their ride for a tire squeal,

 

There's also another way to prevent this vague junk in the future. Organize in your state and meet with the state legislators. If they won't listen to reason then rally to get them voted out. These extreme laws that are vague and without reason are stepping on our rights on federal and state levels all over the country.

 

Great more miss informed people making policy for the informed masses.

 

What state indeed. Something like this spreads like wildfire as it's driven more by emotion rather than common sense. All you need is some legislator all fired up and addressing the press or a sympathetic crowd and before you know it you've got another law that limits our freedom. I've always been an advocate of self policing. When unacceptable behavior (no matter what kind) is shunned by one's peers and pressure by the same is directed to the guilty it goes a long way toward correcting the problem. So come on people lets clean up our own act before the uninformed do it for us.

Frank

 

Typical "I feel better" legislative knee jerk reaction to a tragic situation.

 

Been a law similiar to what you talk about here in Ontario Canada for a few years
Drive 50kmh over (30 mph) car is seized and towed on the spot , good bye drivers licence and a fine
Squak your tires whether it be from atakeoff or shifting gears and its the same
Etc etc
The cop is judge and jury on the spot
It sucks big time
While I agree that street racing should be banned and heavily fined if caught I think they've gone overboard
You go out in the country, nobody within a 1/2 miles and do a burnout ,busted
The inmates are running the ayslum

 

someone that is a member of SEMA (i am not) should pass this on to them.

 

I'm an Ohio hot rodder and I feel like this ... if your caught street racing then you need your car impounded and need to loose it for good but they are limits to that If I'm in my willy's going down 75 and speed up to 70 mph and they try to take my car thats wrong but if I'm on a street and I'm racing my car and get caught I need to loose it , there are Laws and we need to follow them ... Hot rodders or not we all need to use some common sence when operating our cars , now we have a shop here in Mid ohio and perform serval shows and cruise in and see no trouble as long as we obey the rules , Just because were Rodders and Builders don't mean were above the Law . if you want to Race go to the track if you don't have a local trace then get a buch of people together and complain to the board in your local town and get a track it's all pretty simple everyday ideas

 

Don't worry, i and all of us from OHIO will be answering your question very soon!!! come to Cavalcade in Cincinnati? I'll be in the traditional rods area. I'll buy you a drink and show you all about how we do it.


Thanks for the heads up Kirk!! Definitely will be keeping an eye out.

 

I don't think anyone's arguing that street racing shouldn't be prosecuted.

The issue is, the law is so vague that an uninformed or overzealous police officer (or one with revenue dollar signs in his eyes) can take advantage and prosecute people who are not only NOT street racing, but are just operating their vehicle.

Example: gunning the engine to clear out the carb. Is that consistent with a "normal" vehicle? Not anything on the showroom floors today.

How about going around the corner with a tight posi that chirps the tires a bit? Is that an "exhibition of speed"?


There are a lot of damn fine LEOs out there, but there are also a lot of assholes and there are also a lot of guys who just want to do their job, but are pawns of the local politicians and their insatiable need for revenue.

This law makes those LEOs judge and jury, and if you've ever been to court, you know that the LEO is an officer of the court and his word is worth more than yours unless you have evidence to discredit him.

Think about it - you put in a new cam and you aren't used to it yet, chirp your tires by mistake between 1st and 2nd, and lose your car. How are you going to get to work if that's your daily driver? Have an attorney on speed dial if this law passes - cause you're going to need him.

 

As a owner of a 1965 supercharged corvette, we have been pulled over many times by police officers who don't understand the nature of the beast. Sometimes they are too young to know what a muscle car is and how it drives. This law gives them the ability to seize vehicles for any action inconsistent with a "normal" car. ... ..... I feel this statement is wrong As it's misleading the law gives them the right to seize cars being used to street race they can not and will not take your car away for looking or sounding different .... they have to prove thereselfs hince the radar if you'r doing 60 in a 30 then your racing and you'll loose your ride simple as that , now I run a 426 Hemi with a blower and I can keep mine at speed limits if your running a car that can't do the speed limit then it does not belong on the road. this will not affect any car shows unless your shallow minded in thinking I wont go because I can't speed and race ... were not animals and need to follow Laws and rules , the problem will be with the officers but they have to follow rules also , it is your right as a tax payer to request a supeior officer there if they are trying to impound your Belongings and when that supeior officer arrives the the arresting officer has to prove reason for impounding property if they can't prove that then you walk or drive away ... but long an short is if your car won't or can't abide by speed limits then it needs to be on a track ... Don't make a montain out of a mole hill and get everyone ready to fight the system it just can't be done ... thanks

 

They need signatures. Am I correct in assuming that all signatures must be from within the state of Ohio? Big difference between street racing and a tire squeal. What ever happened to a simple "unsafe start" ticket? Sounds like as Ratatat said, a knee-jerk reaction to a tragic situation which is typical..."See, I'm doing something" kind of legislation.

 

my 9 year old son reading over my sholder just said He could fix this problem ... Build a car they can't catch ... LOL got to love kids

 

this new bill wont stop dumb asses from street racing. most individuals that would take part in a street race wont even know this bill exists or even care. laws cant stop stupid. i ofter wonder if the law makers really believe these laws stop anything.

 

Yet another reason to keep my ass outa Ohio

 

If you have a transmission shift kit that squawks through the gears you may be guilty to the zealous cop. The point that they can hassle you for improving the performance of your car is enough to fight this now. If you dont stand up a make a show you may be sorry later. All you need to do is email your local state rep. and stand up for your rights. Its no big deal and should take maybe 5 min.

 

Wow. I already get enough shit for my cars, don't need more. Cops in my area are on a SEVERE power trip. They pull people over for going 26 in a 25, I can only imagine what this will do now...

 

Yes we have hot rods in OHIO.Just not the kind they have in SAN FRAN!!!!

 

Passed the info on to our founding chapter in Ohio

 

thank you for the heads up

 

Is there any part of your state law that has info about a law needs to be written clearer and concise? Other wise it’s null and void (that’s helped me out a few times in MN) and that might be a federal law?


I could swear that there’s something in our construction about being” innocent until proven guilty”? and no disrespect to any of the law enforcement community that read this but I have a right to an impartial judge (minimum) and a jury of my peers if everybody involved wants to push whatever the case may be.


Point being that a police officer’s job is to accurately document the exact facts of what happened and move that information forward to the right party. Now the only exception to this is if the situation could reasonably (reasonably is clearly spelled out) present clear danger to yourself or other members of the community. (Read DUI your impairment would require the officer to take action as you are a real time danger)


I think that the Roll of the police officer in a lot of situations is being greatly exaggerated not the officers fault as most cops are quick to point out” I don’t write the laws” and that is correct / “I have a job to do” ok still correct.


Well we all know that the real reason some cops are the “way they are” towards hot rods is. They came home early to find a hot rod in their drive way. Their wife in the sack with the “hot rodder” Poor cops just jellious as all get out and now he’s out to get us all............lol

 

You bet your ass we do! What kind of question is that. Thanks for the heads up KIRK! People who don't get it, trying to make laws about things they don't understand. The people who arent doing anything wrong are the ones who are usually the most affected by these kinds of laws. Its not good.

 

I'm amazed on how poorly written, "grey" and arbitrary this law is -- it is complete crap!

Those of you who have an opinion of this bill and really want your voices heard should at the very least write a professional e-mail to their senator.

Here is a link to help any of you find contact information.

http://www.ohiosenate.gov/

Thanks for getting involved to help protect our rights as enthusiasts.