Sumner Updates City Code To Crack Down On Illegal Street Racing

SUMNER, WA — The City of Sumner has updated its city code in an effort to crack down on the growing number of illegal street races in their area.

For the past few months, law enforcement and lawmakers alike from across the county have been warning about a rise in illegal — and often dangerous — street racing.

Unlike some cities in the county, Sumner does have an explicitly anti-street racing law on the books. The law, passed in 2009, makes it illegal to compete in or attend an illegal street race.

Now, the city has passed a new ordinance, Ordinance 2766, which expands the definition of an "unlawful racing event" and allows officers to impound cars belonging to drivers who are arrested for racing or reckless driving.

As the city explained in a Facebook post on the issue:

"Racing endangers not only those choosing this dangerous activity but every other vehicle on our streets and pedestrian on our sidewalks. We've been happy to share what we've learned and coordinate with our neighbors to discourage this dangerous practice."

The city is particularly trying to crack down on street racing in several problem areas, including:

• 142nd Avenue East from Tacoma Avenue North to 24th Street East
• 24th Street East from West Valley Hwy E. to 142nd Avenue East
• 8th Street E from the White River Bridge east to the City limits
• 140th Avenue from 16th Street to 24th Street
• 136th Avenue 16th Street to 24th Street E
• 137th Avenue from 16th Street to its merger with 138th Avenue E
• 16th Street E. from 132nd Avenue to its eastern end
• West Valley Hwy E. from Sumner Heights Drive to the northern City limits
• Fryar Avenue from Main Street to Puyallup Street.

These stretches of road have been designated "no racing zones" and anyone caught street racing on these streets could be hit with a "stay out of areas of racing" or SOAR order.

A SOAR order is a gross misdemeanor, meaning it can be published with a fine up to $5,000 and up to a year in prison. Anyone who attends a race in those areas as a spectator can also be booked for a misdemeanor.