Bill would raise penalties for reckless driving and hit-and-run

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. The bill states that driving under the circumstances listed in Article 379 of the Criminal Code, such as being under the influence of drugs or alcohol or speeding, is always reckless driving when it causes the accident. It also clarifies when less serious negligence applies.
2. Two new articles, 142 bis and 152 bis, would increase penalties when there are several victims. The judge could raise the penalty one degree if two or more people die or there are serious injuries, and two degrees if the number of deaths or injuries is very high.
3. The bill would punish drivers who leave the scene of an accident knowing they are leaving behind injured or dead people. The penalty would be prison and loss of the driving license, with different lengths depending on whether the accident came from negligent driving or was accidental.
4. The law would take effect the day after its publication in the Official State Gazette (Boletín Oficial del Estado).

Words worth knowing

Ley Orgánica (Organic Law)

A type of Spanish law reserved for major matters, such as the Criminal Code, requiring special majorities to pass.

Imprudencia grave (serious negligence)

Causing harm by failing to take due care, in a highly negligent way.

Ciclomotor (moped)

A small motor vehicle, less powerful than a motorcycle.

Privación del derecho a conducir (loss of driving rights)

A penalty that bans driving for the period set by the judge.

Omisión del deber de socorro (failure to rescue)

The crime of not helping someone in danger when you have a duty to do so.

It summarizes the text passed by the full Congreso. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries