ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County residents said they’re continuously witnessing street racing, drifting, drag racing and driving at high speed along Reams Road in Windermere. 

What You Need To Know

  • Over the last several weeks Orange County deputies said they’ve made 23 arrests as part of an initiative to combat illegal street racing

  • The Florida Highway Patrol said they’ve responded to 22 crashes on Reams Road, so far in 2023
  • Officials reported that enforcement can be dangerous when suspects flee

Neighbors said the problem is getting worse.

The Orange County Sheriff’s office said they’ve made dozens of arrests over the last several weeks as part of an initiative to combat illegal street racing.

Kat Thomas said she witnesses the racing happening several times a week outside her window.

“They’ll start down there, and they’ll use this street on Reams Road as their obstacle course,” said Thomas.

Thomas said it’s threatening the lives of people in the community, and is a constant source of frustration for her as a cancer patient.

“I call the cops on a weekly basis,” said Thomas. “It gets worse and worse when school is out and we’re about to go into the summer season and it’s going to start happening four to five times a week.”

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said law enforcement handed out 98 violations for street racing in 2021. In 2022, they handed out a total of 78. However, over the last several weeks, Orange County deputies said they’ve made 23 arrests.

“But they haven’t learned a lesson. Last night they were out here racing again I had to call the police again,” said Thomas. “It’s just shocking that they take no accountability, that they have no remorse, no empathy.”

The Florida Highway Patrol said they’ve responded to 22 crashes on Reams Road, so far in 2023.

Thomas said she’s looking to form a committee to discuss options with local representatives and city officials to help fight the problem.

“Just calling the cops is not getting anything done,” said Thomas. “Someone’s going to die, put a speed bump, put a speed trap, put a camera.”

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said they’re aware of the racing and traffic accidents occurring in areas around Reams Road and are conducting street racing details for maximum enforcement.

An Orange County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said this is challenging to address because they flee when law enforcement arrives, creating a potentially more dangerous situation for other drivers.