This bill proposes to amend the existing law regarding aggravated driving while intoxicated (DWI) by adding wrong-way driving as an aggravating factor. Specifically, it modifies RSA 265-A:3 to include a new clause that states a driver can be charged with aggravated DWI if they "drives or operates a vehicle in violation of 265:26, I." This addition is made in both sections I and II of the statute, where the previous options for aggravating factors have been updated to include this new provision. The language "or" has been inserted to connect the new factor with the existing ones, while the word "or" has been deleted from the previous list to maintain grammatical consistency.

The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and is expected to have indeterminable fiscal impacts on state and local governments due to potential changes in judicial and correctional costs associated with the enforcement of the new law. The bill was introduced at the request of the department of safety and aims to enhance road safety by addressing the serious issue of wrong-way driving in the context of impaired driving offenses.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 265-A:3