The Alabama Senate gave final approval today to a bill intended to crack down on street racing and other dangerous exhibition driving, legislation that comes in response to incidents resulting in injuries and deaths.

The bill sets up criminal penalties for drivers who take part in speed contests or perform burnouts, donuts, and other reckless driving maneuvers. It prohibits those activities on public roads, in parking lots, or on private property without the permission of the property owner.

Mayors of Alabama’s 10 largest cities said legislation to help stop dangerous driving exhibitions was one of their top priorities for state lawmakers. Legislators met with Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin about the problems caused by street racing. Last July, a 14-year-old boy was struck by a vehicle and killed while watching exhibition driving in Birmingham.

“I know you hear this a lot but it’s another tool in the toolbox for law enforcement,” said the sponsor, Rep. Allen Treadaway, R-Morris, former assistant chief of the Birmingham Police Department. “The current laws did not go far enough. Basically, it was reckless driving and a ticket. This is an arrestable offense. It will also allow law enforcement to tow the vehicle in. We’re talking about jail time if convicted also. So, we’ve got a lot of teeth in this law for this type of behavior. We’re seeing way too many tragedies occurring.”

Two years ago in Birmingham, a 52-year-old grandmother was killed when another driver authorities said was racing crossed the center line and crashed into her vehicle. In August, gunfire broke out at a driving exhibition in downtown Birmingham, leaving a woman dead and four others injured. In December, Birmingham police said 16 people were hurt, including a 5-year-old boy, when a Nissan 350z that was racing struck a Dodge Charger that was doing donuts, sending the Charger into the crowd of onlookers.

Under Treadaway’s bill, violating the law is a Class C misdemeanor, which can result in up to three months in jail. Second and subsequent violations are Class B misdemeanors, which can mean up to six months in jail. Violators could lose driving privileges for up to six months.

“I believe, after 31 years in law enforcement, once you start taking someone’s freedom away, you start taking their vehicle away, they’re at least going to think twice before they get out there and put that car into that type of activity that puts lives in danger,” Treadaway said.

Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, sponsored the bill in the Senate, which passed it today by a vote of 32-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey, who can sign it into law. It would take effect the first day of the third month after the governor signs it, which Treadaway said will allow police departments a chance to adjust.