HB 2266 | New offenses for street racing

Session: 2023-2024

ACLU-PA Position: Opposes

HB 2266 (PN 3438) would create new offenses prohibiting racing on highways or trafficways and "drifting", defined as steering a vehicle in a turn in an attempt to make the rear wheels lose traction and skid sideways.

HB 2266 would charge anyone who engages in racing on highways or drifting with:

• For a first offense, a summary offense with a $500 fine and a six-month license suspension.
• For a second or subsequent offense, a summary offense with a maximum $2,000 fine, up to six months imprisonment, or both, and the vehicle used in the offense is subject to an impoundment order for up to six months.

HB 2266 would charge anyone who "knowingly organizes, controls, or finances two or more persons" to violate the prohibition on street racing or drifting with:

• A summary offense with a fine of $1,000 per vehicle engaged in the violation.
• A third-degree felony if the street racing / drifting results in the serious bodily injury or death of an individual.

The offenses created under HB 2266 are duplicative and could already be charged under current law. The bill's summary offenses could be charged under reckless driving (75 § 3736) and the third-degree felony offense could be charged under either aggravated assault by vehicle (75 § 3732.1) or homicide by vehicle (75 § 3732)—both of which are also third-degree felony offenses.

Governor Shapiro signed HB 2266 into law on October 16, 2024 as Act 103 of 2024.