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Even though car enthusiasts usually love getting together to display their vehicles, a few high-profile car meets have received negative press. You might be curious as to why car meets are illegal in the US.
This is because they generally result in disruptive conduct such as illegal street racing. Furthermore, large crowds of people assembling in one place might compromise safety and traffic. While putting participants and onlookers in danger, this activity also damages property.
What Is a Car Meet?
The majority of people undoubtedly picture Race Wars from The Fast And Furious Series when they think of a "car meet." What undoubtedly comes to mind are images of amazing settings, loud cars, and a ton of people leaning on nearly every car, which is sometimes the case. However, much of it also consists of a couple of guys huddling around a modified V6 Mustang discussing cars they will never be able to afford. Most often, the stunning locations seen in movies are only empty parking lots where the group of people may or may not have permission to be.
Basically, there are two different categories of car meets. There are the "unsanctioned" meets, which is when a group of individuals gather in a parking lot without permission and are later asked to leave by the police for acting in an unlawful manner.
The other meets such as Concours D'Elegance Cars and Coffee are on the other extreme of the spectrum. These are the upscale affairs when millionaire car owners arrive in pricey exotics and make everyone else envious.
These are obviously at the extremes of the scale; however, car meets in the US have been plagued by a number of issues that affect the entire car community. Both the high-class events and the unofficial gatherings can be advantageous, but both have exclusionary issues that affect enthusiasts who just want to have fun. Let's start with those bizarre, illegal gatherings. In essence, a number of people will arrange a meet-up on Facebook or another social media platform, and many people will assemble in a parking lot to engage in illegal activity such as a burnout.
Now, let's move on to those fancy car meets. Concours d'Elegance and similar events are expensive to attend and don't really reflect the bulk of the car enthusiast population. However, they are great for people who really love cars and want to see a few priceless pieces of art. Cars and Coffee gives the best of both worlds for those who just want to hang out and make new friends.
What Is the Point of a Car Meet?
Car meets are a popular form of social interaction among car enthusiasts, and they often take place at significant events.
A car meet can be a fun way for enthusiasts to connect and talk about vehicles with other people who share their interest. Many people congregate in one place for big occasions such as shows or cruises, but any old parking lot will do.
Why Are Car Meets Illegal?
Although car meets are not against the law, some people might think they are because of the environment. They are gatherings of car enthusiasts where people talk about their passion for cars and other related topics. Unfortunately, because of the nature of these events, there appears to be a concentration of more illegal car-related activities, making it unsafe for many people.
The main reason why certain car meets are illegal is because of dangerous activities such as street racing. However, there are a few other reasons, such as:
They Draw in a Large Crowd of People
It is not illegal to gather in one location peacefully for an extended period of time. The keyword here is "peacefully." Local laws often define what peacefully means; however, most of the time it definitely doesn't include gathering on public roads, burnouts, impromptu rev contests, and taking up a large number of parking spots in a public or private space. While there are legal and peaceful car meets, people need to use common sense when it comes to what they can and can't do.
Property Damage
There is a good probability that both public and private property will be destroyed when big crowds of individuals gather in one location to display their cars. These consist of curbs, highways, and sidewalks. It is a major factor in why car meets are banned. The drifting, racing, and other high-speed activities that take place during the car meets have the potential to damage property.
Excessive Litter on the Roads
Car meets are often linked to more trash on the roads. Attendees frequently leave trash behind, such as fast food wrappers or soda cans. Cleaning up the trash can be challenging for local authorities. Therefore, it results in more trash on the roads for other people to deal with.
Turn Off for Potential Car Buyers
One of the major reasons why car meets are illegal is because it prevents people from buying new cars. At a car meet, people generally get to see quite a lot of car models and ultimately end up buying a car or doing business with a car owner. This negatively impacts local car dealerships that sell cars at competitive prices.
Increased Traffic
The potential for traffic congestion at car meets is another problem. It may be challenging for other vehicles to pass through a group of parked cars. Furthermore, it can be a hassle for the locals and businesses, and it may even result in accidents.
When it comes to public roads, the police often enforce traffic laws to deal with street racing.
Additional Expenses
Business costs often increase as a result of illegal car meets. The cause of this is that car meets frequently result in costly property damage that must be repaired. Additionally, car meets might result in less foot traffic, which leads to fewer customers for nearby businesses.
Safety Hazards: Illegal Street Racing
Due to illegal street racing and other risky behaviors, car meets can also pose a threat to public safety. Police officers, as well as other local law enforcement officials, often have serious concerns when it comes to safety.
Whether a person has a driver's license or not, street racing and speeding are illegal, and unfortunately, an event like this is known for these things.
Rev-Offs
Car enthusiasts often feel the need to do something silly at these events. Two-stepping in the parking lot is one of those stupid activities that often shuts down a meet or, at the very least, draws unwanted attention. We know how enticing it is to show off that great blow-off valve that was just installed; however, we urge people to practice some restraint and protect the public's eardrums.
Rev-offs are, as the name suggests, ludicrous battles involving the exhaust systems of a car. This is roughly equivalent to two-stepping. These typically begin with two people bickering about whose vehicle is louder or sounds better. Both of these, albeit neither is genuinely measurable, are irrelevant. Furthermore, shooting flames is extremely dangerous. Starting a rev-off is sure to get the cops involved.
Using Property Without Consent
Without the owner's consent, a gathering of individuals in a parking lot or on another piece of private property may be considered trespassing. In many states, trespassing is a crime that carries penalties such as fines or even arrest.
Similarly, holding a car meet without the appropriate licenses on public property, such as a roadway or parking space, may also be prohibited. It could be against the law to host events on public property without a license, based on the municipality.
The Impact of Car Meets on the Car Industry
Car enthusiasts have enjoyed attending car meets for many years. Nevertheless, the quantity of illegal car meets has increased recently. Organizers of illegal car meets generally lack the required government approvals and may not have sufficient insurance coverage.
A local car meet can cause many issues if there is property damage or an accident Furthermore, unauthorized car meets are often staged in public spaces such as parks or parking lots, which can disturb locals and businesses. These impacts could result in unfavorable perceptions of the automotive industry and a decline in sales for companies.
Why Are Police Officers and Other Local Law Enforcement Against Car Meetups?
A few reasons why police officers are not fond of car meets include:
Firstly, a cluster of vehicles in one location can clog up traffic and make it challenging for people to move around. This causes inconvenience as well as danger.
Secondly, because of the large crowds, there have been reports of fights and even shootings at car meets.
Last but not least, car meet promoters frequently lack the necessary licenses, meaning that they are breaking local rules and risk penalties or possibly arrest for doing so.
Car Meets and the Economy
While there are many ways that car meets can affect the economy, its impact on local businesses may be the most significant. The car meet often draws in a large crowd and is held in public areas. Local stores and restaurants may see an increase in business as a result of this influx of people.
Additionally, car meets can draw visitors from outside the area, enhancing tourism and bringing in money for the neighborhood. Car meets, however, may also be detrimental to the economy; for instance, if they get out of control or become disruptive, they may endanger the public's safety or cause property damage.
It can discourage people from going to local businesses and cost the neighborhood money to clean up after it or restore any damage. The car meet may also start to monopolize public space and generate issues for locals if it becomes too large or happens too often.
The Car Meet Scene in St. Louis, Missouri
The Police Department in St. Louis is not fond of car meets for a number of reasons. Previous racing events, where hundreds of drivers participated, have caused several accidents citywide.
Furthermore, the police have also had issues with people leaving or fleeing the scene of an accident. This is a major problem as drivers need to be held responsible for their reckless behavior.
Tips for Going to a Legal Car Meet
In order to make the most out of a legal event, stick to these car meet rules:
Arrive early
Follow proper parking etiquette
Ask a lot of questions
Take a friend and don't be shy to make new friends
Take sunblock and water
Be open to new styles of cars
Take the whole family
Take a lot of pictures
Bring detailing supplies
Dress comfortably
Don't start a rev-off
Don't do donuts
Don't encourage bad behavior
Don't touch other people's cars without permission
Don't start an impromptu drag race
Don't complain about another vehicle that's there
Don't disrespect the event organizers
Don't trash the venue
Don't get into fights
Have fun
FAQs
What Car Mods Are Illegal in the US?
While many car mods are allowed in the US, some are illegal. The following is a list of some of the most common illegal car mods in the US:
Aftermarket headlight
Window tinting
License plate frames
Radar jammers or detectors
Non-factory car alarms
LoJack systems
What Car Mods Are Illegal in Canada?
The most common illegal car mods in Canada are changing the engine's internals or the exhaust system. Other prohibited modifications include tinting the windows, modifying the suspension, and inserting aftermarket components without authorization.
The Bottom Line
Because of the numerous risks involved and the ease with which cars can be damaged, car meets are prohibited. Additionally, there is a high chance of pedestrian accidents at car meets. Check with other local law enforcement to discover what is permitted in your area if you intend to attend one.
If you've suffered any injuries because of an illegal car meet in St. Louis, Missouri, contact the personal injury attorneys at a reliable car accident law firm in St Louis MO such as Powell Law. They are equipped with the experience and skills in addressing various questions, such as if it's illegal to sleep in your car in Missouri or if it's illegal to put a tracker on someone's car. We're here to help victims file claims and fight for the justice they deserve!