SB 41 changes New Hampshire’s reckless driving statute to increase minimum penalties for certain high-speed driving offenses. Under current law, reckless driving includes driving 100 miles per hour or more; this bill removes that specific language from the general reckless driving provision and creates a separate offense for driving at 100 miles per hour or greater. The new offense carries a higher minimum fine and a longer mandatory license revocation than other reckless driving conduct.
For the separate 100-mph-or-greater offense, the bill sets a minimum fine of $750 for a first offense and $1,000 for a subsequent offense, with license revocation of 90 days for a first offense and 90 days to one year for a subsequent offense. For other reckless driving conduct, the bill keeps the offense as a violation but adjusts the penalty structure to a minimum fine of $500 for a first offense and $750 for a subsequent offense, with license revocation of 60 days for a first offense and 60 days to one year for a subsequent offense. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026.
Impact
The bill amends RSA 265:79, the state’s reckless driving statute, by separating extreme speeding from the broader reckless driving category and increasing the minimum sanctions for driving 100 miles per hour or more. It changes both the fine amounts and mandatory license suspension periods, which will affect drivers charged under the statute and may influence enforcement and plea negotiations. The fiscal note indicates indeterminable revenue and cost impacts, with possible effects on the Highway Fund, penalty assessment distributions, and judicial/correctional system costs.
Sentiment
The available context suggests generally supportive or safety-oriented sentiment around the bill, as it was introduced at the request of the Department of Safety and sponsored by legislators from both chambers. The bill appears aimed at strengthening deterrence for extremely dangerous driving behavior rather than creating a broader new offense. No committee transcript or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of opposition or debate in the supplied materials.
Contention
The main policy issue is whether 100-mph driving should be treated as a distinct, more serious offense with higher mandatory penalties than other forms of reckless driving. Potential concerns include whether the increased fines and longer license revocations are proportionate, whether they will improve roadway safety, and whether they could increase court, prosecution, and correctional workloads. Because the fiscal note says impacts are indeterminable, another point of uncertainty is the extent to which the bill will affect state and local revenues and enforcement costs.