'We need to do more': Nashville city leaders sound alarm on dangerous street racing

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Metro leaders are sounding the alarm on a rise of illegal street racing. They say it is dangerous for more than just those involved.

In a south Nashville parking lot takeover last weekend, police helicopter footage shows dozens of cars skidding out with some of those racers pointing lasers at air crews and shooting off fireworks.

With a background in law enforcement, Councilmember Russ Pulley says it is important to be proactive rather than reactive in these scenarios.

"Because now you have a police car that is chasing a fast car that someone else is driving and these pursuits are extremely dangerous," Pulley says.

Councilmember Courtney Johnston says we are also at a disadvantage with low staffing issues in our police force, but has hope as a group of officers are set to graduate academy soon.

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“We need to be looking at all types of solutions for this problem, because it’s not just really dangerous for everyone around them," Johnston said. "So, anyone walking, driving, flash but it’s also dangerous for the people driving those cars with excess speeds."

Johnston says capital improvements have been made to tackle some of these issues, like adding LPR's and speed cushions to our roads, and adding calming medians.

Johnston says it’s about deciding this is a priority and investing in solutions and says we should consider upping fines at the state level.

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