Racing of vehicles prohibited; definitions; penalties.
Tucson Code § 20-161
in effectSec. 20-161. Racing of vehicles prohibited; definitions; penalties.
(a) Racing motor vehicles prohibited. A person shall not drive a motor vehicle or participate in any manner in a race, speed competition or contest, drag race or acceleration contest, exhibition of speed or acceleration, or for the purpose of making a speed record, on a street or highway.
(b) Definitions. For the purposes of this section:
"Drag race" means either:
(1) The operation of two (2) or more motor vehicles from a point side by side at accelerating speeds in a competitive attempt to outdistance each other; or
(2) The operation of one (1) or more motor vehicles over a common selected course and from the same point for the purpose of comparing the relative speeds or power of acceleration of the motor vehicle or motor vehicles within a certain distance or time limit.
"Motor vehicle" has the same meaning as provided in Section 28-101 of the Arizona Revised Statutes.
"Race" or "racing" means the use of one (1) or more motor vehicles in an attempt to outgain or outdistance another motor vehicle or prevent another motor vehicle from passing.
(c) A person who violates this section is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor. In addition to any penalties otherwise provided by law, when any person is arrested or given a citation for operating a motor vehicle in violation of this section, a peace officer is authorized to impound the motor vehicle for thirty (30) days.
(d) If a vehicle is impounded pursuant to this section, the impounding agency shall follow the procedures set forth in A.R.S. §§ 28-3512- 3515, just as if the vehicle had been impounded pursuant to A.R.S. § 28-3511.
(Ord. 11452, § 1, 4-19-17; Ord. 11821, § 1, 3-9-21)
Source: City of Tucson, Tucson Code (Charter and General Ordinances) and Unified Development Code (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/tucson/latest/tucson_az/0-0-0-29973Fetched: 10/28/2026