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 New Jersey, street racing, drag racing, and other unauthorized motor vehicle speed contests or exhibitions are illegal under state law. These activities are typically addressed in the New Jersey Statutes Annotated (N.J.S.A.), specifically within the motor vehicle and traffic regulation sections. The laws prohibit participation in any form of race, speed competition, drag race, acceleration contest, endurance test, or any exhibition of speed or acceleration intended to set a speed record. The definition of a drag race in New Jersey encompasses the operation of two or more vehicles side by side at accelerating speeds in a competitive attempt to outdistance each other, or the operation of vehicles over a common course to compare speeds or acceleration within a certain distance or time. A race may involve vehicles trying to outpace each other, reach a destination first, or test the endurance of the driver over a long distance. Stunt driving, which includes maneuvers like driving on two wheels, spinning the vehicle, or drifting, is also prohibited. Violations of these laws can result in serious penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and driver's license suspension. Enforcement is carried out by local and state law enforcement agencies.