LIAM'S LAW.

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View NCGA Bill Details2025-2026 Session
House Bill 246 (Public) Filed Thursday, February 27, 2025
AN ACT TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR RECKLESS DRIVING OR STREET RACING THAT CAUSES SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH AND INCREASE PENALTIES FOR HIT AND RUN OFFENSES THAT RESULT IN DEATH.
Intro. by Torbett.
Status: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate (Senate action) (Apr 16 2025)

SOG comments (1):

Long title change

Submitted by jhenders@sog.unc.edu on

Committee substitute to the 1st edition changed the long title. Original long title was AN ACT TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR RECKLESS DRIVING OR STREET RACING THAT CAUSES SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH AND TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR HIT AND RUN OFFENSES THAT RESULT IN DEATH.

Bill History:

H 246

Bill Summaries:

  • Bill H 246 (2025-2026)
    Summary date: Apr 8 2025 - View Summary

    House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes. 

    Part I.

    Changes the Part's heading.

    Modifies the proposed changes to GS 20-140, making the offense of reckless driving causing serious bodily injury a Class A1 misdemeanor rather than Class I felony.

    Part II.

    Changes the Part's heading.

    Further amends GS 20-141.3, which establishes street racing offenses, to separate the misdemeanor offenses set forth in existing subsection (c). Moves the offense of betting on prearranged speed competitions into new subsection (c1), thereby removing the betting offense from the proposed increased classification to felonies for speed competition offenses that result in serious injury or death to felonies. Now increases the criminal classification of speed competitions resulting in serious injury to Class H felonies (was, Class F) and serious bodily injury or death to Class G felonies (was, death only and Class B2). Makes organizational and clarifying changes to subsection (d) pertaining to revocation of driver's licenses and driving privileges pursuant to the statute. Makes conforming organizational changes and cross-reference updates. Makes language gender neutral.

    Deletes the proposed changes to GS 20-166(a), regarding a driver's duty to stop in the event of a crash, that changed the criminal classification of violations where the crash results in the death of another person to a Class D felony. Instead, maintains existing law making all willful violations a Class F felony and adds that the court must sentence the defendant in the aggravated range of the appropriate Prior Record Level if the crash results in the death of another person.

    Changes the act's long title.

    Courts/Judiciary, Motor Vehicle
    GS 20
  • Bill H 246 (2025-2026)
    Summary date: Feb 27 2025 - View Summary

    Part I.

    Amends GS 20-140 by increasing the penalties for reckless driving, which is a Class 2 misdemeanor, to a Class 1 misdemeanor if the reckless driving causes serious injury and to a Class I felony if the reckless driving causes serious bodily injury.

    Part II.

    Repeals GS 20-17(a)(4), which required revocation of a person’s driver's license for failure to stop and render aid in violation of GS 20-166(a) (requires stopping at the scene when the driver knows or reasonably should know that the vehicle they are operating is involved in a crash and the crash resulted in serious bodily injury or death to any person) or (b) (requires such a driver to provide specified information to the person struck or the driver or occupants of any vehicle collided with, if they are physically and mentally capable of receiving such information, and requires rendering reasonable assistance) (see new revocation provisions below).

    Amends GS 20-141.3, which makes street racing illegal, to increase the penalty to a Class F felony if the speed competition causes serious injury, with drivers license revocation for four years (with the ability to apply for a new license after three years from revocation); and to a Class B2 felony if the speed competition causes a death, with permanent revocation of the person’s drivers license (with the ability to apply for a new license after seven years from revocation). Specifies that when a license is permanently revoked, the DMV’s restrictions and conditions on the new license may not exceed three years. Makes additional organizational, conforming, and technical changes.

    Amends GS 20-166(a) (as described above) by amending the penalties for violations so that violations are a Class F felony unless the crash results in the death of another person, in which case, the penalty is a Class D felony. Revokes the drivers license of a person convicted of the Class F felony for four years, allowing the person to apply for a new license after three years from revocation. Permanently revokes the drivers license of a person when the crash results in the death of another person, allowing the person to apply for a new license after seven years from revocation. Specifies that persons convicted of violations of (a1) (duty to stop at the scene during a crash resulting in injury) or (b) (described above) are to have their drivers licenses revoked for one year and allows them to apply for a new license after a year from revocation. Sets out criteria that must be met for issuing a new license and allows the DMV to impose terms and conditions on the new license for the balance of the revocation period. Prohibits such restrictions and conditions from exceeding three years when the revocation period is permanent. Makes additional clarifying, conforming, and technical changes. Amends GS 20-179.63 to make a person whose driving privilege was forfeited under GS 20-166(a1) or (b) eligible for a limited driving privilege if specified conditions are met.

    Part III.

    Applies to offense committed on or after December 1, 2025.

    Courts/Judiciary, Motor Vehicle
    GS 20
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