A bill in Illinois would stiffen penalties for joyriders whose reckless driving habits lead to a death in traffic.

Specifically, if a driver uses an incline in the roadway – such as the approach to a railroad crossing – to make his or her vehicle go airborne, and that action leads to an accident in which someone dies, under HB4006, introduced by Rep. Roger L. Eddy, R-Hutsonville, the driver would be charged with reckless homicide.

The law provides for jail time up to three years.

The bill was approved by the House Transportation and Motor Vehicles Committee March 3 by a vote of 17-0. It is now before the full House.