Driver Arrested For 'Laying Drags' In Lawrenceville Parking Lot

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — A male driver was arrested, and his car was impounded, over the weekend after Lawrenceville Police said Friday he was "laying drags" in a commercial parking lot.

Police said the arrest happened after several vehicles that were gathered in the parking lot left the scene peacefully at the request of the business. Police had conducted a stop on the male's car, subsequently arresting him. In accordance with a city ordinance, the male's car was impounded and will be held for a period of no less than 30 days, police said.

"Laying drags" applies to a car unnecessarily moving in a zigzag or circular manner, or gyrating or spinning around, on public streets, highways, driveways, airport runways or parking lots, according to Georgia law. The related charge is a misdemeanor, the law states.

Lawrenceville Police said street racing and its associated acts have become an issue in recent months in Gwinnett County.

"The City of Lawrenceville, with its street racing ordinance, has provided our officers with a valuable tool to combat dangerous street racing and reckless driving exhibitions. The city ordinance against street racing allows Lawrenceville police officers to take street racing-related cases before a City of Lawrenceville Municipal Court judge for prosecution," police said in a news release.

Police said under the ordinance, people can be charged with a street racing offense if they are the organizers, participants, spectators or passengers. Police said those charged will face a fine not exceeding $1,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or any combination for every violation.

All vehicles involved in each case will be impounded and held for a period of no less than 30 days or until the completion of the case, at the expense of the registered owner, police said.

"The Lawrenceville Police Department will not tolerate illegal street racing activity or any other dangerous act which endangers our public," police said in the release.