The Alabama Senate has passed a bill to crack down on street racing and dangerous driving stunts, legislation that comes in response to several incidents that caused deaths or injuries.

The bill by Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, would result in possible jail time for drivers who race or do risky driving maneuvers on public streets or in parking lots. Last year, Smitherman and other lawmakers met with Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin about the problems caused by street racing.

Smitherman said he has seen drivers doing donuts and drag racing on streets in downtown Birmingham. The city of Birmingham set up speed bumps in downtown Birmingham to slow down street racers and stunt drivers. Smitherman said the penalties in the bill would help keep police keep the dangerous driving practices in check.

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. In July, a 14-year-old boy was struck by a vehicle and killed while watching exhibition driving in Birmingham. 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.

Mayors of Alabama’s 10 largest cities said a law to help police stop exhibition driving was one of their highest priorities for this legislative session.

Smitherman’s bill defines terms like speed contests, burnouts, and donuts. It says any driver who engages in those behaviors can, on a first conviction, be sentenced to jail for up to 90 days, fined up to $500, or both. On a second conviction, a driver can spend up to six months in jail, pay a fine of up to $500, or both. A driver can also lose driving privileges for up to six months. Drivers who cause an injury or death by racing and doing the other dangerous driving maneuvers listed in the bill would be charged with a felony. Police could tow and impound the vehicles of drivers arrested for breaking the law.

Smitherman’s bill moves to the House of Representatives, where Rep. Allen Treadaway, R-Morris, has a similar bill. Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, has a bill to authorize the Jefferson County Commission to impose civil penalties for exhibition driving and street racing, including towing and impoundment of vehicles.