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Panel advances bill creating "dangerous excessive speeding" offense for very high speeds and certain conduct
Summary
Senator Pizzo told the Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice that SB 1782 would create a per se reckless driving category for specified, very high‑speed conduct, including exceeding a posted limit by 50 mph or more and lane changes at over 100 mph.
Senator Pizzo explained SB 1782 to the committee as a bill that "recognizes, per se, reckless driving" for three specific speed thresholds: exceeding the posted speed limit by 50 miles per hour or more; passing or changing lanes while traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour; and on limited‑access highways, exceeding the posted limit by 35 miles per hour or more. Pizzo said the bill establishes attendant penalties that are "far less severe than a DUI or other" but intends to address life‑endangering behavior.
Committee members asked questions and offered support. Vice Chair Martin said the bill appropriately recognizes different road types and contexts; Senator Wright urged the measure as a life‑saving step. Senators exchanged light‑hearted banter about personal driving speeds but emphasized public‑safety rationale: Senator Pizzo cited local citation totals — Orange County issued 29 citations for excess of 100 mph in one January and 101 citations this January — to illustrate the need.
Chip Denmark, Kaylee Peters and William B. Smith waived in support during the record. After limited debate, Senator Pizzo closed the item and the committee reported CS for SB 1782 favorably.
