Bill > HB321

This bill amends New Mexico's existing careless driving law to more explicitly define and penalize dangerous driving that results in death or serious injury. The legislation clarifies that careless driving involves operating a vehicle without proper attention and consideration of road conditions, traffic, weather, and other circumstances. Importantly, the bill introduces a specific penalty for careless driving that causes death or "great bodily harm," which is defined as an injury creating a high probability of death, causing serious disfigurement, or resulting in permanent loss or impairment of a body function. Under the new provisions, such incidents will be classified as a misdemeanor, with punishment determined according to Section 31-19-1 of New Mexico statutes. The bill also updates language to use gender-neutral terminology, replacing "his" with "the person's" and modifying verb constructions. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025, providing time for law enforcement and judicial systems to prepare for the new legal framework. By specifying consequences for extremely negligent driving, the bill aims to promote safer driving practices and provide legal recourse for serious driving-related injuries and fatalities.

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https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legtype=B&legno=321&year=25