Arkansas Senate Backs Penalties for Fatigued Drivers

The Arkansas Senate has approved legislation that would allow prosecutors to charge drowsy drivers with negligent homicide when they cause fatal crashes.

By a 23-2 vote, the Senate approved a bill that would allow prosecutors to apply the charge to drivers in fatal crashes if they have been without sleep for 24 hours or have fallen asleep at the wheel after going without sleep for that long.

Republican Sen. Jason Rapert of Conway said he proposed the legislation in response to fatal accidents in the state that have been caused by drowsy drivers where prosecutors were unable to file charges.

The bill now heads to the House.