On Thursday, August 20, 2020, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m., the Oxnard Police Department and California Highway Patrol deployed officers throughout the City in response to complaints and traffic collisions related to illegal street racing, reckless driving, and unsafe vehicles operating on our roadways. The police department has received numerous complaints of drivers of illegally modified vehicles gathering and disturbing at different locations around the city and participating in dangerous driving placing others at risk. Â
During the traffic enforcement operation, officers arrested two drivers for participating in a street race, two drivers were arrested for driving impaired, and one driver was arrested for being in possession of methamphetamine. In addition, 41 hazardous citations were issued and five vehicles were towed.   Â
The Oxnard Police Department has investigated several fatal collisions resulting from reckless driving, speed, and street racing. Over the past three years, there have been eight traffic fatal collisions due to dangerous driving. In addition, three people have lost their lives due to illegal street racing since 2017.
There has been an increased presence of these types of unsanctioned events in Oxnard and throughout the county. Street racing, drag racing, drifting, and other forms of unpermitted driving create a very dangerous environment for everyone on our roadways. The Oxnard Police Department will be taking a zero-tolerance approach to this dangerous and illegal behavior. Those doing these acts will be subject to citations, vehicles being towed, and possibly arrested.
Violators driving modified vehicles will be referred to a State Referee, who will perform equipment inspections. State Referees will not sign off citations until a vehicle is in full compliance with the law. The police department will continue these types of enforcement operations in an effort to make our roadways safer. Â