Illegal driving can be deadly: AAA, LAPD, others team up to spread word on summer driving safety
Usa today news
Street Racing Kills Founder Lili Trujillo speaks at a press conference held by the Auto Club of Southern California, USC Racing, Street Racing Kills and local law enforcement on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 in Los Angeles to address the dangers of illegal street racing and takeovers, and to promote AAA’s “100 Days of Safe Driving” campaign. (Photo by Jacob Lewis, Contributing Photographer)
The Auto Club of Southern California, USC Racing, Street Racing Kills and local law enforcement held a press conference on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 in Los Angeles to address the dangers of illegal street racing and takeovers, and to promote AAA’s “100 Days of Safe Driving” campaign. (Photo by Jacob Lewis, Contributing Photographer)
Automobile Club of Southern California Spokesperson Kandace Redd speaks at a press conference held by the Auto Club of Southern California, USC Racing, Street Racing Kills and local law enforcement on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 in Los Angeles to address the dangers of illegal street racing and takeovers, and to promote AAA’s “100 Days of Safe Driving” campaign. (Photo by Jacob Lewis, Contributing Photographer)
The Auto Club of Southern California, USC Racing, Street Racing Kills and local law enforcement held a press conference on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 in Los Angeles to address the dangers of illegal street racing and takeovers, and to promote AAA’s “100 Days of Safe Driving” campaign. (Photo by Jacob Lewis, Contributing Photographer)
LAPD Detective Ryan Moreno speaks at a press conference held by the Auto Club of Southern California, USC Racing, Street Racing Kills and local law enforcement on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 in Los Angeles to address the dangers of illegal street racing and takeovers, and to promote AAA’s “100 Days of Safe Driving” campaign. (Photo by Jacob Lewis, Contributing Photographer)
The Auto Club of Southern California, USC Racing, Street Racing Kills and local law enforcement held a press conference on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 in Los Angeles to address the dangers of illegal street racing and takeovers, and to promote AAA’s “100 Days of Safe Driving” campaign. (Photo by Jacob Lewis, Contributing Photographer)
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Street Racing Kills Founder Lili Trujillo speaks at a press conference held by the Auto Club of Southern California, USC Racing, Street Racing Kills and local law enforcement on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 in Los Angeles to address the dangers of illegal street racing and takeovers, and to promote AAA’s “100 Days of Safe Driving” campaign. (Photo by Jacob Lewis, Contributing Photographer)
Street “takeovers,” illegal roadway sideshows and other irresponsible highway behavior can be deadly. And statistics, sadly, prove that fact every year, especially during the summer.
That was the stark message spread as the Auto Club of Southern California, USC Racing, Street Racing Kills and Los Angeles County law enforcement hosted an event Friday to promote AAA’s “100 Days of Safe Driving” campaign at L.A.’s Historic Auto Club Building on Figueroa Street.
Racing should stay “off the streets and on the track,” officials said at the event, part of a AAA promotion that runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, a time when fatal crashes rise — especially when teen drivers are at the wheel.
Joining the effort to encourage safer driving was Detective Ryan Moreno of the LAPD, one of many law enforcement agencies supporting the crusade.
Street Racing Kills Founder Lili Trujillo — whose 16-year-old daughter Valentina was killed while an unwitting passenger during an illegal street race — was also on hand. Since 2014, her team has worked to educate students and other motorists about the often deadly consequences of street racing, takeovers and other unsafe highway behaviors.
“The world lost a beautiful 16-year-old girl,” says Trujillo on her organization’s website. “I lost my daughter. Her brother lost his sister. I started Street Racing Kills so no mother would have to experience the loss of a child, and so no young person would make a decision they can never take back.”
AAA reminded all motorists to:
Put your phone away while driving;
Always wear your seatbelt on any trip, even if the destination is nearby;
Stay under the posted and when traffic and road conditions are dicey;
Stay sober — no alcohol, drugs or cannabis while at the wheel;
