HB 191 has been revised. Much of what had people up in a roar is gone or rewriten. It looks like the main impetus was to create the offense of "street racing manslaughter." You can see the revisions here (scroll down to Sec. 4511.251):
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/b...?ID=128_HB_191
Some things have remained in the bill which I am surprised at, like inclusion the N2O as an aggravating charge. But other things like charging spectators was removed entirely. It also defines street racing as:
"the operation of two or more vehicles from a point side by side at accelerating speeds in a competitive attempt to out-distance each other or the operation of one or more vehicles over a common selected course, from the same point to the same point, wherein timing is made of the participating vehicles involving competitive accelerations or speeds."
After reading through the revised law, it sounds pretty much on target to me.
If you race in the street, you're a bad boy (1st degree misdemeanor).
If you race in the street and use N2O or have multiple convictions for street racing, etc. now it's a 5th degree felony.
If you race in the street and it caused serious physical harm = 3rd degree felony
If you race in the street and have combinations of people hurt, multiple convictions, N2O etc. that will be a 2nd degree felony.
If convicted of a misdemeanor you (among other things) loose the car for 180 days.
If convicted of a Felony = by, by, car forever. Hello jail etc.
Except for the odd inclusion of N2O as an aggravating charge I'm having a hard time faulting the law. If you're being a D/A (I don't mean District Attorney) and get someone hurt it should be on you.
JMHO, Steve