Local Sheriff Says New Legislation Could Deter Drag Racing In UC

Drag racing is a growing issue in parts of the state, and local sheriffs say we see it in the Upper Cumberland as well.

Overton County Sheriff John Garrett said when it comes to drag racing, people should stick to the tracks and not the roads.

“If you want to drag race, there’s a drag strip up in Cumberland County,” Garrett said. ” Go there and drag race, have fun there. The city streets and county roads, those roads are meant to be traveled by people coming to and from, not for racing purposes.”

Garrett said that in Overton, they have had cases ranging from newly licensed teenagers to folks in their sixties. He said that they all have a common goal of testing their vehicles’ speeds.

A new legislation, Senate Bill 14, will stiffen the penalty for drag racing from a class B to a Class A misdemeanor. The bill goes into effect July 1st. Garrett said he hopes this new legislation will deter people from taking the risk.

“People need to think, ‘Is the risk worth the reward,'” Garrett said. “If you’re going to have a drag race out here on a public road way, is that risk worth possibly losing your freedom? Or having that  felony on that record ”

Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris said that while there are plenty of highways around the area, drag racing is not a prominent issue for Putnam.

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