LONOKE COUNTY, Ark. (KTHV) - The Lonoke County Sheriff's Office Street Crime Unit has zero tolerance for street racing. Captain David Bufford said the unit just arrested a handful of people racing over 100 miles per hour.
“They happened to notice the vehicles racing down 67/167. The people racing were 16 and under and there were quite a few kids involved with it,” he said.
Bufford said the majority of people they pull over for racing is teenagers that don't understand the risk that comes with driving recklessly.
If you get caught racing in Lonoke County, you'll be arrested, your car will be towed, you'll have hefty fines to pay and be taken to court.
“It could be my family or your family and they're not expecting some teenagers to be racing cars and then come by and lose control and wreck and then put other families in jeopardy,” he said.
If you wreck and kill someone, you will be charged with negligent homicide and face prison time. A handful of Lonoke County residents took to the department's Facebook page to voice their concerns for more patrols on county roads. The department says they're looking into it but they also need help from parents.
“Don't just purchase a car for your juvenile and cut them loose and say alright well be careful,” Bufford said.
They hope a combined effort between officers cracking down on races and parents enforcing rules at home can save lives.
“I don’t care the type of control you think you have over a car, the faster you go, the less control you have,” he said.
The department said the teenagers arrested will also likely lose their license until they turn 21.