Bill > LD1886

This bill modifies existing Maine law governing motor vehicle violations by expanding the current statute that addresses fatalities caused by traffic infractions to now also include serious bodily injury. Specifically, the bill adds language that makes it a civil violation for a driver who commits a traffic infraction and causes either death or serious bodily injury to another person. The bill defines "serious bodily injury" by referencing its definition in Title 17-A, section 2, subsection 23 (though the specific definition is not provided in this text). Under the proposed law, if a driver is found to have caused death or serious bodily injury while committing a traffic infraction, they can be fined up to $5,000, with the option for the court to convert part of the fine to community service work. Additionally, the driver will face a mandatory license suspension ranging from 14 days to 4 years. The bill requires the state to prove that the traffic infraction directly caused the death or serious bodily injury, and the court will use established legal standards to assess causation.

Justice

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1886&snum=132