S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
3172
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 23, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to reckless
driving; and to amend the penal law, in relation to criminal negli-
gence involving the use of a motor vehicle
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Subdivision (a) of section 1212 of the vehicle and traffic
law, as amended by chapter 436 of the laws of 2024, is amended to read
as follows:
(a) Reckless driving shall mean driving or using any motor vehicle,
motorcycle or any other vehicle propelled by any power other than muscu-
lar power or any appliance or accessory thereof in a manner which (1)
unreasonably interferes with the free and proper use of the public high-
way or any parking lot, or (2) unreasonably endangers users of the
public highway or any parking lot, OR (3) IS RECKLESS WITHIN THE MEANING
OF SECTION 15.05 OF THE PENAL LAW. [Reckless] ALL SUCH driving is
prohibited. Every person violating this provision shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor.
§ 2. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 15.07 to read as
follows:
§ 15.07 CULPABILITY; CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE INVOLVING THE USE OF A MOTOR
VEHICLE.
NOTWITHSTANDING SECTION 15.05 OF THIS ARTICLE, A PERSON MAY BE FOUND
TO HAVE ACTED WITH CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE INVOLVING THE USE OF A MOTOR
VEHICLE WITH RESPECT TO A HOMICIDE, AS DEFINED UNDER SECTION 125.10 OF
THIS CHAPTER, OR AN ASSAULT, AS DEFINED UNDER SECTION 120.00 OF THIS
CHAPTER, IF IT IS ESTABLISHED THAT SUCH PERSON WAS RECKLESSLY DRIVING,
AS DEFINED UNDER SECTION TWELVE HUNDRED TWELVE OF THE VEHICLE AND TRAF-
FIC LAW.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05878-01-5