House Bill 639

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-3-1215, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT VEHICLES IN VIOLATION OF DRAG RACING SHALL BE SUBJECT TO FORFEITURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 63-3-1215, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-3-1215. (1) No person shall drive any vehicle upon the public roads in this state in any race, speed competition or contest, drag race or acceleration contest, test of physical endurance, exhibition of speed or acceleration, or for the purpose of making a speed record, and no person shall in any manner participate in any such race, speed competition, drag race, test * * *or of physical endurance, exhibition, or purpose of making a speed record.

(2) For the purposes of this section, "drag race" means the operation of two (2) or more vehicles from a point side by side at accelerating speeds in a competitive attempt to outdistance each other, or the operation of one or more vehicles over a common selected course, from the same point to the same point, for the purpose of comparing the relative speeds or power of acceleration of such vehicle or vehicles within a certain distance or time limit on the public roads of this state.

(3) For the purposes of this section, "racing" means the use of one or more vehicles in an attempt to outgain, outdistance, or prevent another vehicle from passing, or to test the physical stamina or endurance of drivers over long-distance driving routes on the public roads of this state.

(4) Any person convicted of violating this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisoned not more than six (6) months, or both.

(5) The prohibitions contained in this section do not apply to events sanctioned by local governing authorities.

(6) All vehicles which are used in violation of this section shall be subject to forfeiture in the same manner as provided in Section 97-3-111 for certain violations of Section 97-3-109.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.