New Nevada Law Could Increase Reckless Driving Penalties

The father of a Nevada teenager killed by a speeding driver has petitioned his state representatives to work on a bill that, if passed, would dramatically increase the penalties for reckless driving when it results in serious bodily injury or death. The legislators sponsoring the bill hope that making punishments more severe will encourage Nevada motorists to obey the law and drive more carefully.

Of course, irresponsible driving is a serious and ongoing problem in the United States. On the other hand, there is also longstanding controversy surrounding the human costs associated with mandatory minimum sentences.

Notwithstanding arguments on both sides, the legal team at Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law, remains committed to ensuring that our clients are fully informed about their legal rights and have access to the excellent legal representation we all deserve when facing criminal charges. If you are facing reckless driving charges, contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney.

What Is Rex’s Law?

Senate Bill 322, also known as “Rex’s Law,” is a proposed piece of legislation currently under consideration by the Nevada legislature that would increase the penalties for reckless driving convictions. The bill is named in honor of Rex Patchett, a 13-year-old who suffered fatal injuries when he was struck by a driver going more than 90 miles per hour while traveling in a school zone in early 2022. After being prompted by Rex’s father, Senator Jeff Stone and Assemblyman Toby Yurek came together to sponsor the proposal.

The driver received a maximum sentence under the current reckless driving statute — six years with the possibility of parole after serving two years. The proposed law would raise the minimum sentence for a reckless driving conviction to 10-20 years if the underlying crime leads to “substantial bodily harm” or death. The law would also authorize an additional seven-year sentence for offenses that occur within a school or construction zone.

Advocates for the change argue that the current maximum sentence for reckless driving insufficiently punishes the kind of behavior that led to Rex’s death. Assemblyman Yurek, who is also a former police officer, equates the severity of this behavior to driving under the influence of alcohol, arguing that both crimes require defendants to actively choose a reckless course of action.

Reckless Driving Statistics in Nevada

According to the Nevada Department of Public Safety, law enforcement officers across the state issued 167 citations for reckless driving in 2021 alone. Further, there were 385 traffic fatalities in 2021 and 382 in 2022. To combat these numbers, Nevada’s reckless driving statute makes it illegal to:

• Drive a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property on a highway or premises to which the public has access.
• Drive a vehicle in an unauthorized speed contest on a highway or premises to which the public has access.
• Organize an unauthorized speed contest on a highway or premises to which the public has access.
• Drive a vehicle in an unauthorized trick-driving display on a public highway.
• Facilitate an unauthorized trick-driving display on a public highway.

Consult With an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney Today

The right to legal counsel is the cornerstone of the criminal justice system. At Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law, we believe that anyone facing criminal prosecution deserves high-quality legal representation. We are committed to providing that representation to each of our clients. If you are facing a reckless driving charge, contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney.