The bill amends existing laws regarding the responsibilities and penalties for drivers involved in accidents resulting in personal injury, serious bodily injury, or death. It establishes a new section, 31-26-1, which mandates that drivers must stop at the scene of an accident and remain until they fulfill legal requirements. The penalties for failing to stop have been significantly increased, with mandatory license revocation periods extended to at least two years and up to ten years, depending on the severity of the injury or death caused. For serious bodily injury, the imprisonment range has been adjusted to a minimum of five years and a maximum of thirty years, while for fatalities, the minimum sentence has been set at five years and the maximum at thirty years.

Additionally, the bill introduces new sections under Chapter 31-27, which address driving offenses resulting in serious bodily injury or death. The penalties for these offenses have also been increased, with imprisonment terms extended to a maximum of thirty years for driving so as to endanger resulting in death, and up to fifteen years for serious bodily injury. The bill emphasizes the importance of financial responsibility and the conditions under which a driver's license may be reinstated after a conviction. Overall, the act aims to impose stricter penalties for driving offenses that lead to serious consequences, thereby enhancing road safety.

Statutes affected:
5638: 31-26-1