{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/46.2-865.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/46.2-865.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/46.2-865.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/46.2-865.1.html"}],"law_id":366294,"edition_id":2,"section_id":366294,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-865.1","catch_line":"Injuring another or causing the death of another while engaging in a race or exhibition driving; penalties.","history":"2004, c. 859; 2006, c. 348; 2025, c. 648.","full_text":"A\n\nAny person who while engaging in a race or exhibition driving in violation of subsection B or C of \u00a7 46.2-865 in a manner so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life:\n\n1\n\nCauses serious bodily injury to another person who is not involved in the violation of subsection B or C of § 46.2-865 is guilty of a Class 6 felony; or\n\n2\n\nCauses the death of another person is guilty of a felony punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than one nor more than 20 years.\n\nB\n\nUpon conviction, the court shall suspend the driver’s license of such person for a period of not less than one year nor more than three years, and shall order the surrender of the license to be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of § 46.2-398.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1364194,"text":"Any person who while engaging in a race or exhibition driving in violation of subsection B or C of \u00a7 46.2-865 in a manner so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":1364195,"text":"Causes serious bodily injury to another person who is not involved in the violation of subsection B or C of § 46.2-865 is guilty of a Class 6 felony; or","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":1364196,"text":"Causes the death of another person is guilty of a felony punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than one nor more than 20 years.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"B"},"3":{"id":1364197,"text":"Upon conviction, the court shall suspend the driver’s license of such person for a period of not less than one year nor more than three years, and shall order the surrender of the license to be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of § 46.2-398.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A2"}},"ancestry":[{"id":52192,"edition_id":2,"name":"Reckless Driving and Improper Driving","identifier":"7","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":9,"parent_id":52184,"metadata":{"child_laws":22,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:55:47","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:09","permalink":{"id":1457873,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52192,"identifier":"7","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/7\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52184,"edition_id":2,"name":"Regulation of Traffic","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":52051,"metadata":{"child_laws":208,"child_structures":21},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:55:38","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:08","permalink":{"id":1457191,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52184,"identifier":"8","token":"46.2\/III\/8","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52051,"edition_id":2,"name":"Operation","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":3,"parent_id":52048,"metadata":{"child_laws":589,"child_structures":55},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:52:29","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:07","permalink":{"id":1455599,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52051,"identifier":"III","token":"46.2\/III","url":"\/46.2\/III\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52048,"edition_id":2,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":101,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":1830,"child_structures":157},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:52:29","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:02","permalink":{"id":1452291,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52048,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":366280,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-852","catch_line":"Reckless driving; general rule","url":"\/46.2-852\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-852","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Commonwealth v. Cady","case_number":"201204","citation":null,"date":"2021-10-28","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/5293092\/commonwealth-v-cady\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. PRESENT: All the Justices .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"},"1":{"name":"Mark Spencer Cady v. Commonwealth of Virginia","case_number":"1595194","citation":null,"date":"2020-08-11","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4774212\/mark-spencer-cady-v-commonwealth-of-virginia\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"},"2":{"name":"Chapman v. Commonwealth","case_number":"Record No. 171417","citation":"820 S.E.2d 611","date":"2018-11-29","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/8399275\/chapman-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. In this case, we awarded appellant an appeal from the judgment of the Court of Appeals, holding that .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"},"3":{"name":"Chapman v. Commonwealth (PUBLISHED ORDER)","case_number":"171417","citation":null,"date":"2018-11-29","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4568328\/chapman-v-commonwealth-published-order\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. VIRGINIA: .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"},"4":{"name":"Barry Eugene Lawson v. Commonwealth of Virginia","case_number":"2421113","citation":"61 Va. App. 292","date":"2012-12-11","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1061512\/barry-eugene-lawson-v-commonwealth-of-virginia\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. FELTON, Chief Judge. .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"},"5":{"name":"John Beverly Chapman, Jr. v. Commonwealth of Virginia","case_number":"1948164","citation":"804 S.E.2d 326","date":"2017-09-26","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4428928\/john-beverly-chapman-jr-v-commonwealth-of-virginia\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"},"6":{"name":"Joana Konadu v. Commonwealth of Virginia","case_number":"0178234","citation":null,"date":"2024-01-30","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/9470122\/joana-konadu-v-commonwealth-of-virginia\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"},"7":{"name":"Jose Canales Granados v. Merrick Garland","case_number":"20-2028","citation":"17 F.4th 475","date":"2021-11-04","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/5295000\/jose-canales-granados-v-merrick-garland\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. PUBLISHED .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"8":{"name":"Commonwealth v. Gregg","case_number":"Record 170586","citation":"811 S.E.2d 254","date":"2018-04-05","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4484269\/commonwealth-v-gregg\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. OPINION BY JUSTICE STEPHEN R. McCULLOUGH .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"},"9":{"name":"United States v. Wingle","case_number":"Criminal No. 3:12MJ378","citation":"918 F. Supp. 2d 524","date":"2013-01-04","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/8722146\/united-states-v-wingle\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. MEMORANDUM OPINION .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"}}}},{"id":366281,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-853","catch_line":"Driving vehicle which is not under control; faulty brakes","url":"\/46.2-853\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-853","metadata":false},{"id":366282,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-854","catch_line":"Passing on or at the crest of a grade or on a curve","url":"\/46.2-854\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-854","metadata":false},{"id":366283,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-855","catch_line":"Driving with driver's view obstructed or control impaired","url":"\/46.2-855\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-855","metadata":false},{"id":366284,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-856","catch_line":"Passing two vehicles abreast","url":"\/46.2-856\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-856","metadata":false},{"id":366285,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-857","catch_line":"Driving two abreast in a single lane","url":"\/46.2-857\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-857","metadata":false},{"id":366286,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-858","catch_line":"Passing at a railroad grade crossing","url":"\/46.2-858\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-858","metadata":false},{"id":366287,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-859","catch_line":"Passing a stopped school bus; prima facie evidence","url":"\/46.2-859\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-859","metadata":false},{"id":366288,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-860","catch_line":"Failing to give proper signals","url":"\/46.2-860\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-860","metadata":false},{"id":366290,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-861","catch_line":"Driving too fast for highway and traffic conditions","url":"\/46.2-861\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-861","metadata":false},{"id":366289,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-861.1","catch_line":"Drivers to yield right-of-way or reduce speed when approaching stationary vehicles displaying certain warning lights on highways; penalties","url":"\/46.2-861.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-861.1","metadata":false},{"id":366291,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-862","catch_line":"Exceeding speed limit","url":"\/46.2-862\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-862","metadata":false},{"id":366292,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-863","catch_line":"Failure to yield right-of-way","url":"\/46.2-863\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-863","metadata":false},{"id":366293,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-864","catch_line":"Reckless driving on parking lots, etc","url":"\/46.2-864\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-864","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"United States v. Barber","case_number":"P2022553, P2022554, P2022555","citation":"360 F. Supp. 2d 784","date":"2005-02-09","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2572080\/united-states-v-barber\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 360 F.Supp.2d 784 (2005) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"}}}},{"id":366295,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-865","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Racing or exhibition driving; definitions; penalties","url":"\/46.2-865\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-865","metadata":false},{"id":366294,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-865.1","catch_line":"Injuring another or causing the death of another while engaging in a race or exhibition driving; penalties.","url":"\/46.2-865.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-865.1","metadata":false},{"id":366296,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-866","catch_line":"Racing or exhibition driving; aiders or abettors; penalty.","url":"\/46.2-866\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-866","metadata":false},{"id":366298,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-867","catch_line":"Racing; seizure of motor vehicle","url":"\/46.2-867\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-867","metadata":false},{"id":366297,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-867.1","catch_line":"Exhibition driving; impoundment of motor vehicle.","url":"\/46.2-867.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-867.1","metadata":false},{"id":366300,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-868","catch_line":"Reckless driving; penalties","url":"\/46.2-868\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-868","metadata":false},{"id":366299,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-868.1","catch_line":"Aggressive driving; penalties","url":"\/46.2-868.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-868.1","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Phelps v. Com.","case_number":"Record 070399.","citation":"654 S.E.2d 926","date":"2008-01-11","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058542\/phelps-v-com\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 654 S.E.2d 926 (2008) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"},"1":{"name":"Phelps v. Commonwealth","case_number":"2739051","citation":"639 S.E.2d 689","date":"2007-01-23","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1063112\/phelps-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 639 S.E.2d 689 (2007) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":366301,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-869","catch_line":"Improper driving; penalty","url":"\/46.2-869\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-869","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":366295,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-865","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Racing or exhibition driving; definitions; penalties","url":"\/46.2-865\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-865","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":366296,"structure_id":52192,"section_number":"46.2-866","catch_line":"Racing or exhibition driving; aiders or abettors; penalty.","url":"\/46.2-866\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-866","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-865.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2004. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 859<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2006, chapter 348<\/a>; in 2025, chapter 648<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":366298,"section_number":"46.2-867","catch_line":"Racing; seizure of motor vehicle","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-867\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":365663,"section_number":"46.2-398","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Disposition of surrendered licenses on revocation or suspension","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-398\/"},{"id":366295,"section_number":"46.2-865","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Racing or exhibition driving; definitions; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-865\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1457935,"object_type":"law","relational_id":366294,"identifier":"46.2-865.1","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-865.1","url":"\/46.2-865.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-865.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-865.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Injuring another or causing the death of another while engaging in a race or exhibition driving; penalties.","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-865.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Any person who while engaging in a race or exhibition driving in violation of subsection B or C of \u00a7 46.2-865<\/a> in a manner so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Causes serious bodily injury to another person who is not involved in the violation of subsection B or C of § 46.2-865<\/a> is guilty of a Class 6 felony<\/span>; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Causes the death of another person is guilty of a felony<\/span> punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than one nor more than 20 years. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Upon conviction<\/span>, the court<\/span> shall suspend<\/span> the driver<\/span>’s license of such person for a period of not less than one year nor more than three years, and shall order<\/span> the surrender of the license to be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of § 46.2-398<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nINJURING ANOTHER OR CAUSING THE DEATH OF ANOTHER WHILE ENGAGING IN A RACE OR\nEXHIBITION DRIVING; PENALTIES. (\u00a7 46.2-865.1)\n\nA. Any person who while engaging in a race or exhibition driving in violation of\nsubsection B or C of \u00a7 46.2-865 in a manner so gross, wanton, and culpable as\nto show a reckless disregard for human life:\n\n 1. Causes serious bodily injury to another person who is not involved in the\n violation of subsection B or C of § 46.2-865 is guilty of a Class 6\n felony; or\n\n 2. Causes the death of another person is guilty of a felony punishable by a\n term of imprisonment of not less than one nor more than 20 years.\n\nB. Upon conviction, the court shall suspend the driver’s license of such\nperson for a period of not less than one year nor more than three years, and\nshall order the surrender of the license to be disposed of in accordance with\nthe provisions of § 46.2-398.\n\nHISTORY: 2004, c. 859; 2006, c. 348; 2025, c. 648.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}