The term “stunt driving” means exactly what you think it means—it refers to the performance of risky maneuvers with a vehicle.
Common examples of stunt driving include:
- Burnouts: Spinning the tires until they smoke, often while the vehicle is stationary.
- Doughnuts: Driving in tight circles so the rear tires skid and leave marks on the pavement.
- Drifting: Deliberately oversteering so the rear of the car slides sideways through a turn.
- Wheelies: Lifting the front wheels of a motorcycle (or even a car) off the ground while moving.
- Allowing someone to ride partially outside the vehicle: Letting passengers hang out the windows, sunroofs, or the bed of a pickup while in motion.
Stunt driving is often done to thrill the driver or impress an audience, but it can also be used to intimidate others on the road. In many cases, it’s paired with other dangerous behaviors, such as excessive speeding, blocking traffic, or participating in “street takeovers.”
Though it probably goes without saying, stunt driving is illegal in every state. Let’s take a closer look at what this means in your state and how stunt driving can affect a personal injury claim, whether you’re the injured party or the driver accused of doing it.
Did you know that a five percent increase in average speed leads to a ten percent increase in injury accidents and a twenty percent increase in fatal car crashes? Learn more about the impact of speed on car accidents.
How common is stunt driving?
While stunt driving has been around for decades, law enforcement agencies report a noticeable rise in recent years, especially in urban areas where social media videos have fueled the trend.
Consider the following:
- In Florida, nearly 10,000 citations for street racing and stunt driving were issued in the last five years.
- In California, the California Highway Patrol regularly reports “street takeover” events drawing hundreds of spectators, sometimes resulting in injuries or fatalities.
- A recent study published in Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behavior found that over a million risky driving videos are being produced and viewed on the Internet.
In January 2024, a late-night stunt driving accident in the Bronx claimed the lives of two passengers—21-year-old Gilvante Roberson and 15-year-old Sabrina Villagomez—and left two others hospitalized.
Police say the 23-year-old driver of a Chrysler 300 was performing stunts in an industrial area known for street takeovers when he hit a dip in the road, lost control, and slammed into a parked fuel truck around 3:30 a.m.
Friends described Roberson, who worked at UPS, as a unifying figure in the local car community, while Villagomez was remembered as a bright high school sophomore.
The crash, which was captured on video, underscored what locals and business owners say is a longstanding and dangerous culture of racing and reckless driving in the area — a problem that spikes on warm nights and weekends.
Is stunt driving illegal?
Yes, stunt driving is prohibited in every state.
Some states have dedicated laws that specifically define and penalize stunt driving, while others apply broader reckless driving or racing statutes that cover the behavior.
- Georgia, for example, defines “reckless stunt driving” explicitly under O.C.G.A. § 40‑6‑390.1. This includes actions like drag racing or laying drags with reckless disregard for safety. Penalties escalate on repeated offenses:
- First offense: High-and-aggravated misdemeanor—$500–$1,000 fine, 10 days–6 months jail.
- Second offense (within 10 years): $750–$1,500 fine, 90 days–12 months jail.
- Third offense: $2,500–$5,000 fine, 120 days–12 months jail, habitual violator status, up to 5-year license revocation.
- Fourth offense: Felony—$5,000–$7,500 fine, 1–5 years prison, habitual violator status; if injury or property damage over $1,000, the first 12 months cannot be suspended. Courts may also seize vehicles after multiple convictions.
- In contrast, California doesn’t have a stunt driving statute per se, but drivers can be charged under reckless driving laws—especially if stunts result in injuries or significant property damage. Sanctions range from misdemeanor fines of $145–$1,000 and up to 6 months in jail, to felonies when serious bodily harm is involved.
- Florida recently strengthened its penalties. A first offense may carry $1,000–$2,000 in fines, while two offenses in 12 months can be charged as a third-degree felony—up to 5 years in prison and $5,000 fine. Repeated offenses within five years can rise to a second-degree felony, with a maximum of 15 years in prison.
- Ohio enforces stunt- and reckless-driving behavior under general traffic laws—typically treated as a minor misdemeanor, escalating to higher misdemeanors depending on prior traffic offenses.
Across many states, vehicle impoundment and license suspension are commonly applied, even after a first conviction.
Negligent entrustment exposes vehicle owners to liability when lending their cars, especially to young or reckless drivers. Learn more.
How does stunt driving affect personal injury claims?
If you’re hurt in a stunt driving crash, the driver’s conduct will almost always be considered negligent—or even reckless—under state law. This can make it significantly easier to prove fault and recover damages for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
A police citation for stunt driving, reckless driving, or a related offense can strengthen your case by showing the driver violated a safety law intended to protect people like you. While the ticket itself may not always be admissible in court, the resulting conviction, police testimony, and investigative evidence often are.
Proving that stunt driving happened may involve police dashcam or bodycam footage, surveillance video, eyewitness accounts, skid marks, vehicle data, or even social media posts.
You still have to show that the stunt caused or contributed to the crash—if the driver was drifting in a parking lot an hour earlier but driving normally when they hit you, the stunt driving won’t help you recover.
Most liability insurance will still apply to stunt driving crashes, but some policies exclude coverage for organized racing or similar events, which could force you to seek compensation directly from the driver.
What if I was the one stunt driving?
If you cause an injury while stunt driving, you face two separate legal battles:
- Criminal penalties from the state, such as jail time, fines, license suspension, and vehicle impoundment.
- Civil liability from the injured party, who can sue you for damages.
Even without an injury, a stunt driving conviction can cause lasting harm to your record, insurance rates, and employment prospects—especially if your job involves driving.
Learn the important differences between a criminal and civil case.
Stunt driving might look exciting on the big screen (we’ve all seen at least one of the endless Fast and Furious sequels), but in reality, it’s extremely dangerous.
Every state treats it as a serious offense, and a single stunt gone wrong can lead to criminal charges, civil lawsuits, and lasting personal and financial consequences.
If you’ve been injured by a stunt driver, contact an experienced personal injury attorney right away to protect your rights. If you’re facing stunt driving accusations—especially if someone was hurt—speak with legal counsel immediately to protect yourself and your future.
California Street Racing Accidents & Lawsuits
Fueled by popular films, illegal street racing has become such a problem in California that the state has created several task forces to focus on the issue.