By Paige Orr, FOX23.com News Staff
TULSA, Okla. — The Tulsa City Council voted on Wednesday evening to pass a high-stakes ordinance aimed at curbing street racing and extreme speeding by giving police the power to take a driver’s vehicle on the spot.
The ordinance, which was refined during a “redlining” session in Wednesday morning’s committee meeting, formally defines racing as a public nuisance under the Tulsa Revised Traffic Code.
This classification allows the Tulsa Police Department to impound a vehicle for up to 10 days if the driver is caught racing or speeding at excessive thresholds. According to the ordinance, those thresholds include driving 40 miles per hour over the posted limit on highways or double the speed limit in residential areas.
Tulsa City Councilor Laura Bellis, the ordinance’s sponsor, explained, “Right now, someone could drive extremely recklessly, well over the speed limit, very intentionally driving dangerously, racing, et cetera. They could get cited, go to jail, get out and get their car back right away. Studies have shown that one of the only things that actually changes that behavior is vehicle impoundment.”
City leaders spent much of Wednesday morning’s discussion ensuring the policy includes a clear path for due process.
New “redlined” provisions were added to protect innocent car owners, such as a parent whose child was caught racing the family car without permission.
The council also established a hardship clause, allowing a hearing officer to release a vehicle early if the owner can prove the impoundment creates a severe crisis, such as the inability to get to work or a medical appointment.
Tulsa Police Captain Richard Meulenberg said the department is prepared to implement the changes, noting that the community has been calling for stricter consequences.
“Tulsans are telling us—the police department—they want a bit more. They want these people to have a little bit more skin in the game. If they’re caught speeding 40 over on the highways or twice the speed limit on residential streets, they can lose their vehicle.”
The urgency behind the vote follows a deadly year on Tulsa roads.
Data cited in the ordinance shows that in 2025, 41% of the city’s 46 traffic fatalities were attributable to reckless driving at excessive speeds.
Bellis noted that another fatal collision occurred just two days ago, further highlighting the need for immediate action.
Since the ordinance includes an emergency clause, the new rules will become effective immediately now that it’s been approved by the city council.
This would allow Tulsa Police to begin towing and impounding vehicles involved in racing or extreme speeding as early as Wednesday night.
Under the updated language, a car owner can request a due process hearing within five days of the impoundment. An administrative hearing officer will then determine if there was probable cause for the seizure or if a hardship justifies an early release.
While some council members expressed concern that early releases might weaken the deterrent, supporters believe the initial “friction” of losing a vehicle, even for a few days, is enough to force a change in driver behavior.
You can read the full ordinance here.
