A bill

to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding section 56-5-2915 so as to create the offense of reckless driving with grEat bodily injury and provide penalties.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.    Article 23, Chapter 5, Title 56 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

   Section 56-5-2915. (A) A person who drives a motor vehicle in a manner as to indicate either a wilful or wonton disregard for the safety of persons or property, and the driving of the motor vehicle causes great bodily injury to another person, is guilty of reckless driving resulting in great bodily injury and, upon conviction, must be punished by mandatory fine of not more than seven thousand five hundred dollars or a term of imprisonment of not more than seven years, or both. The Department of Motor Vehicles shall revoke for two years the driver's license of a person convicted of reckless driving with great bodily injury.

   (B) As used in this section, "great bodily injury" means bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the functions of any bodily member or organ.

   (C) After one year of a conviction and release from imprisonment, the person may petition the court to lift the second year's suspension of his driver's license upon good cause shown.

SECTION 2.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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