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3/15/04-The House Judiciary Committee voted March 1 to table a measure that would criminalize aggressive driving, effectively killing it.
The bill sought to charge drivers who kill someone while committing three of seven specific aggressive driving maneuvers – including running a red light, improperly changing lanes, tailgating or speeding – with a misdemeanor.
Under current state law, fatally aggressive drivers could face a traffic citation, or be charged with manslaughter, which requires a prosecutor prove the driver acted with gross negligence. The gross negligence designation is considered “all but impossible” to prove.
The bill by Delegate Pauline Menes, D-College Park, would impose a possible three-year sentence and up to a $5,000 fine. HB173 also would put points on a violating driver’s license for excessive speeding.
An identical bill – SB218 – was rejected by the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.
The bill sought to charge drivers who kill someone while committing three of seven specific aggressive driving maneuvers – including running a red light, improperly changing lanes, tailgating or speeding – with a misdemeanor.
Under current state law, fatally aggressive drivers could face a traffic citation, or be charged with manslaughter, which requires a prosecutor prove the driver acted with gross negligence. The gross negligence designation is considered “all but impossible” to prove.
The bill by Delegate Pauline Menes, D-College Park, would impose a possible three-year sentence and up to a $5,000 fine. HB173 also would put points on a violating driver’s license for excessive speeding.
An identical bill – SB218 – was rejected by the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.