New Street Takeover Crackdown Bill – California AB 2807

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we’ve seen the chaos of street takeovers up close—reckless stunts that too often end in serious injury or worse, all because of reckless drivers. California’s new law, AB 2807, went into effect in 2024 and is cracking down hard on these dangerous events. As  personal injury attorneys, we’re here to break it down for you what this new law means for victims and why it matters.

What Are Street Takeovers?

Street takeovers are large-scale, illegal gatherings where groups of cars converge on an intersection or stretch of road, shutting it down so drivers can do stunts. These events are often promoted on social media and can draw hundreds of spectators. They usually happen at night and involve coordinated efforts to evade the police.

The danger goes way beyond the show. Street takeovers have resulted in multiple fatalities, serious pedestrian injuries and property damage. They also delay first responders and can turn into violent encounters or stampedes.

How Did Street Takeovers Start?

Street takeovers evolved from illegal street racing and underground car culture. While street racing has been around for decades, the rise of social media—Instagram, TikTok, YouTube—has allowed organizers to promote these events quickly and anonymously. What started as niche gatherings have become citywide problems with organized groups taking over multiple intersections in one night.

LA and the Bay Area were the first to get hit, but it’s since spread to all of California and other states. AB 2807 is addressing this problem at the source.

How Dangerous Are Street Takeovers?

The danger of street takeovers is in their unpredictability and lawlessness:

• High-Speed Stunts: Drivers do donuts or drag racing in areas with no barriers, with pedestrians just feet away from spinning cars.
• No Safety Equipment: Public streets don’t have barriers, medical crews or emergency protocols like a racetrack.
• Delayed Emergency Response: Blocked intersections can prevent ambulances, fire trucks or police from reaching nearby emergencies.
• Crowd Control Risks: Spectators can quickly become casualties if a driver loses control or if panic sets in with a large crowd. According to CHP reports, street takeovers have resulted in multiple fatalities, both bystanders and drivers, as well as long-term, severe injuries like brain trauma and spinal cord damage.

What Was the Penalty for a Street Takeover Before AB 2807?

Before AB 2807, the penalties for participating in or attending a street takeover were inconsistent and minimal. Many cities issued citations or misdemeanors and vehicle impoundments were rare. The lack of a statewide enforcement framework meant that even serious offenses went unenforced, so takeovers thrived.

For example:

• Drivers: Faced only traffic infractions unless someone was hurt.
• Spectators: Rarely penalized so crowd sizes ballooned with no fear of consequences.
• Organizers: Operated with anonymity and low risk of arrest.

What Is the New Penalty for a Street Takeover Under AB 2807?

AB 2807 introduces statewide, uniform penalties for everyone involved in these illegal events. Key changes include:

For Drivers

• Misdemeanor charges, up to 6 months in jail
• $5,000 fine
• Immediate vehicle impoundment and possible forfeiture after repeat offenses

For Organizers and Promoters

• Felony charges for organizing, coordinating or promoting a takeover via social media or messaging apps
• Civil liability for any resulting injuries or damages
• Jail time and big fines

For Spectators

• $1,000 fine
• Misdemeanor citation even if they didn’t participate in driving

This wide net aims to reduce participation and attendance, so organizing or watching these events becomes a big no-no.

How AB 2807 Improves Public Safety

AB 2807 is designed to disrupt the culture of impunity around street takeovers. The law gives police and prosecutors the power to act fast and decisively:

• Immediate vehicle impoundment takes away the means to commit more acts.
• Spectator penalties reduce crowd sizes which in turn reduces the draw for participants.
• Criminal consequences for organizers targets the root of the problem—coordination and social media promotion.

The goal is not just to punish but to prevent takeovers from happening

 How AB 2807 Is Different

Previous laws, like California Vehicle Code §23109, addressed street racing and exhibitions of speed but lacked bite:

• Officers needed direct observation to act.
• Existing penalties didn’t deter repeat offenders.
• There was no statewide uniformity so there were enforcement gaps.

AB 2807 plugs those loopholes by:

• Allowing social media and video evidence to be used in court
• Giving law enforcement the power to impound vehicles on the spot
• Targeting organizers not just drivers

What’s Next for Street Takeover Enforcement?

AB 2807 is just the start. Californians should expect further legislation adjustments based on real-world results. Street takeovers aren’t just a California problem, they’re a  national one.

California’s AB 2807 is a big step towards safer streets. At WCTL, we support measures that protect our communities from harm. But we know accidents can still happen—and when they do, you need experienced legal help.

Injured in a Street-Takeover? Call West Coast Trial Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been injured in a street takeover, you need skilled, compassionate and aggressive representation. Our team of personal injury lawyers will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Don’t suffer alone—reach out today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Contact us at (213) 927-3700 or fill out our online contact form.