CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A new bill introduced in the West Virginia House of Delegates aims to set a clear speed threshold for reckless driving, a designation currently undefined by state law.
House Bill 2620, sponsored by Delegate Elliott Pritt (R-Fayette), would classify driving more than 25 miles per hour over the posted speed limit as reckless driving.
Under existing law, West Virginia does not specify a particular speed that automatically qualifies as reckless driving, though it does define the offense as operating a vehicle with “willful or wanton disregard for safety.”
If passed, the bill would make excessive speeding a misdemeanor offense. First-time offenders could face 5 to 90 days in jail, a fine between $25 and $500, or both.
Repeat offenders could receive 10 days to six months in jail, a fine between $50 and $1,000, or both.
The penalties would be even stricter for reckless driving that results in serious bodily injury, carrying a punishment of 10 days to six months in jail, a fine between $50 and $1,000, or both.
West Virginia code defines “serious bodily injury” as an injury that creates a risk of death causes serious disfigurement, or impairs organ function.
Those penalties are already in place for the standard definition of reckless driving, according to West Virginia code.
House Bill 2620 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for further consideration.
