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House raises penalty for street racing; proposed tougher driver‑license suspension fails
Summary
The House approved Senate Bill 193, elevating penalties for speed contests/exhibitions and setting driver‑license suspensions (60 days first offense, 90 days second). An amendment to extend second‑offense suspension to 180 days failed; the bill passed 71‑0.
The Utah House on Feb. 28 approved Senate Bill 193, which raises penalties for speed contests or exhibition driving and imposes driver‑license suspensions for repeat offenses.
Representative Dave Clark, the sponsor, told the House the bill elevates the offense from a class C to a class B misdemeanor and sets license suspensions: 60 days for a first offense and 90 days for a second. During floor debate a member offered an amendment to increase the second‑offense suspension from 90 days to 180 days. Representative Wyatt opposed that harsher change as overly broad, noting the bill covers a range of conduct beyond classic street racing; supporters of the amendment argued a tougher penalty was warranted given fatalities tied to exhibition driving. The amendment failed and the underlying bill passed on final vote with a recorded 71 yes, 0 no.
Clark invoked a recent local fatality during debate, saying in floor remarks that the story from a mother of a child who was killed had motivated him to pursue the legislation. The House adopted the bill and it will be returned to the Senate for the president's signature or further action.
The floor debate also mentioned a collaborative effort with law enforcement in crafting incremental penalties and an acknowledgment that some community organizations host controlled track events to provide safer alternatives for young drivers.
