GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1991

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 515

Short Title:  Speeding, Reckless Driving In Work Zone.	(Public)
─────────────────────────────────────── 
Sponsors: Representatives Sam Hunt; and Bowman.
─────────────────────────────────────── 
Referred to:  Judiciary III.
─────────────────────────────────────── 

April 1, 1991

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO MAKE SPEEDING IN A HIGHWAY WORK ZONE A MISDEMEANOR, TO IMPOSE A MINIMUM FINE FOR RECKLESS DRIVING IN A HIGHWAY WORK ZONE, AND TO PROHIBIT THE IMPOSITION OF CERTAIN FINES FOR RECKLESS DRIVING IN A WORK ZONE UNLESS A SIGN ADVISES MOTORISTS OF THE FINES.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  G.S. 20-140(d) reads as rewritten:
"(d)	Reckless driving as defined in subsections (a) and (b) is a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment not to exceed six months or a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00), or both a fine and imprisonment.  A reckless driving offense that occurs in a highway work zone, as defined in G.S. 20-141(j2), is punishable by a minimum fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00) and is otherwise punishable as provided in this subsection.  The minimum fine or a fine greater than the minimum fine may not be imposed for an offense that occurs in a highway work zone unless a sign at the beginning of the highway work zone states the minimum and maximum fine for a reckless driving violation occurring in that work zone."
Sec. 2.  G.S. 20-141 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"( j2)	A person who drives a motor vehicle in a highway work zone in violation of subsection (a) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than three hundred dollars ($300.00), imprisonment for up to 180 days, or both.  A 'highway work zone' is the area between the first sign that informs motorists of the existence of a work zone on a highway and the last sign that informs motorists of the end of the work zone.  The minimum fine in this subsection or a fine greater than the minimum fine may not be imposed unless a sign at the beginning of the highway work zone states the minimum and maximum fine for a speeding violation committed in that work zone.  Driving in a highway work zone at a speed greater than the advisory speed limit indicated by a sign at the work zone is prima facie evidence of driving at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions."
Sec. 3.  This act becomes effective October 1, 1991, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.