Puerto Rico Senator Brenda Pérez Soto, who represents the Arecibo District, filed a bill proposing a 10-year suspension of the driver’s license of anyone convicted of causing serious bodily injury to or the death of a cyclist. Senate Bill 1517 would amend Law 22-2000 to establish this mandatory sanction and strengthen the legal consequences for drivers responsible for such accidents.
According to Pérez Soto’s press release, current law provides for eight years in prison and $5,000 fines. The proposal would add a license suspension lasting a decade. She said the initiative responds to concerns expressed by cyclists about accidents involving distracted drivers, including those who use cell phones while driving.
Pérez Soto said she asked her legal advisers to "add claws" to Law 22 of 2000 because of the many accidents involving cyclists, caused in different ways such as looking at a phone or taking a call while driving. She said her office has received many calls from cyclists requesting this amendment, and she hopes people realize that cyclists also have rights.
Senate Bill 1517 must still go through the legislative process before the mandatory 10-year suspension could become law.