I guess the simple question is, is burning rubber illegal?
White? 50/50 you get away with it.
Latino? Black? Vietnamese? Ticket at minimum.
As others have said it can fall under a variety of offenses. Another offense that refers to this is “Stunting”.
Around here they refer to it as ‘unreasonable acceleration’.
What? That’s illegal?
It’s to help prevent people from racing from stoplight to stoplight.
I’m sure there’s something at the state level, found a local ref here. Seems to be one of those laws where it’s illegal if they already wanted a reason to mess with the driver.
https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/aitkin/latest/aitkin_mn/0-0-0-802
Prima facie evidence of unnecessary exhibition of speed shall be squealing or screeching sounds emitted by the tires, or the throwing of dirt by the tires of the vehicle, or both
EVs can accelerate quickly while not making much noise… I guess it’s okay to quickly accelerate with an EV then?
It should be, if not. Pedestrians need to cross roads. Other cars need to enter roads, change lanes, etc. Cars accelerating at unreasonable rates will cause an accident.
I agree about pedestrians, but cars changing lanes should to be aware of their surroundings, including cars that are approaching them.
Cars accelerating at unreasonable rates
How do you define “unreasonable” though, especially with EVs that can accelerate quickly?
Unreasonable is any rate of acceleration that other cars can’t safely navigate around and amongst.
Unreasonable gives cops and judges a lot of leeway. Words like that should be illegal. If you can’t pin it down, it can’t be a law.
Yeah, loss of control basically
In New Zealand it would be classed as ‘Sustained Loss of Traction’ and would be illegal.
As others have said, it depends on the city but probably yes.
For example, in San Mateo, California, it would be an offense under title 11 of the Municipal Code:
11.12.050 EXCESSIVE ACCELERATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES.
It is unlawful for any person operating a motor vehicle within the City to so accelerate the same as to cause audible noise by tire friction on pavement or to cause the tires of said vehicle to leave skid marks upon the pavement, except when such acceleration is reasonably necessary to avoid a collision. Any person violating this section shall be guilty of a public offense.
Same question but instead you only use launch control, so no loss of reaction, and don’t go over speed limit… Although the cop would hear the brup, brup, brup, brup… Braap… Brrraaaap, and you slow down the rpms to not exceed speed limit…
It’s an “exhibition of speed” and is some form of illegal in nearly all regions.
It’s actually more interesting to figure out where it ISN’T illegal.
I wouldn’t recommend it. I did this once (didn’t see the cop). He just pulled up next to me at the next red light and shook his head in disapproval, but I fully expected to be pulled over. Tbf I’m white and was presenting female at the time, so I imagine it would have gone differently if I was any other demographic.
Improper Start is a term used around here by the cops.
Unsafe start is the term in my area
Depends on where you live and how much of a dick the cop is, ultimately
Is this a serious question?
It feels like you are presenting me with an unspoken option. Either,
- This question is a joke, or
- I’m really ???
Yes, it’s a real question. I wondered it in real life, and asked it here.
Please don’t be rude and unkind to people who don’t know as much as you.
Actually, let’s just try not to be rude and unkind. There’s no reason to take some time to make someone feel bad.
Can’t remember where it happened, but I’ve read about someone being pulled over for pulling away from the traffic lights too quick.