Laws prohibiting street racing, drag racing, and other motor vehicle speed and endurance competitions—as well as stunt exhibitions—vary from state to state. These laws are usually located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal code or criminal code—and generally prohibit drivers from participating in:

• a race;

• a vehicle speed competition or contest;

• a drag race or acceleration contest;

• a test of physical endurance of the operator of a vehicle; or

• in connection with a drag race, an exhibition of vehicle speed or acceleration or to make a vehicle speed record.

Drag race may be defined as the operation of:

• two or more vehicles from a point side by side at accelerating speeds in a competitive attempt to outdistance each other; or

• one or more vehicles over a common selected course, from the same place to the same place, for the purpose of comparing the relative speeds or power of acceleration of the vehicle or vehicles in a specified distance or time.

Race is defined as the use of one or more vehicles attempting to:

• outgain or outdistance another vehicle or prevent another vehicle from passing;

• arrive at a given destination ahead of another vehicle or vehicles; or

• test the physical stamina or endurance of an operator over a long-distance driving route.

Illegal stunt driving or stunting usually involves a parking lot or blocked off street where drivers use their vehicles to perform stunts, such as driving on two wheels; “doing donuts” by spinning the car in a circle; or drifting while turning a corner.

In Kentucky, street racing, drag racing, and other unauthorized motor vehicle speed and endurance competitions, as well as stunt exhibitions, are illegal under state law. Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) specifically address these activities. For instance, KRS 189.292 outlines that no person shall operate a vehicle on a highway in any race, speed competition or contest, drag race or acceleration contest, test of physical endurance, or exhibition of speed or acceleration. Violating these laws can result in penalties including fines, imprisonment, and driver's license suspension or revocation. The definition of a drag race in Kentucky typically involves two or more vehicles accelerating side by side in a competitive attempt to outdistance each other, or one or more vehicles racing over a selected course from the same start to the same finish line. A race may involve vehicles competing to outdistance each other, reach a destination first, or test the endurance of the driver over a long distance. Stunt driving, which includes activities such as driving on two wheels, spinning the vehicle in circles, or drifting, is also prohibited. These laws are enforced to ensure public safety and to prevent the dangerous situations that can arise from such reckless driving behaviors.