Not only will those caught participating in sideshows, street races or reckless driving exhibitions face fines up to $1,000 but they also may have their vehicle impounded.

State law allows such seizures to take place immediately by law enforcement after a participant is detained.

But unless a city has that provision as part of their municipal code, it can’t legally happen within their jurisdiction.

It is why the Manteca City Council is being asked to add such a provision when they meet Tuesday at 6 p.m.

The Manteca Municipal Code currently prohibits individuals from planning, observing, or participating in a sideshow, street race, or reckless driving exhibition. 

The penalty for a violation is a misdemeanor, up to 6 months in jail, and a fine up to $1,000. 

The city ordinance regarding sideshows adopted 14 months ago gives the police the power to enforce the ordinance not just against the drivers in the sideshow, but those just there to watch as well.

It makes it “unlawful for a person to be knowingly present at a street race or reckless driving exhibition conducted on a public street or highway or in an off-street parking facility.”

In addition, the municipal code makes it “unlawful for any person to knowingly promote, instigate, assist, facilitate, aide, or abet the gathering of persons as spectators at a street race or reckless driving exhibition conducted on a public street or highway, or in an off-street parking facility”.

Such a provision is aimed at going after the promoters of such events as well.

The seizing of the car would add a significant cost to those participating in such reckless events.

That’s because between towing and storage fees, the bill can easily soar past $1,500 for an owner to retrieve their vehicle after 30 days.

Since sideshows can potentially cause damage to public roadways, Manteca’s ordinance adopted in June 2023 gives investigators the power to go after violators for the costs associated with that damage.

The cost of repairing roadways can easily stretch into the thousands of dollars.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com