SENATE BILL REPORT

 

 

                                  E2SSB 5882

 

 

BYSenate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senator Nelson)

 

 

Establishing definitions and revising penalties for reckless, negligent, and inattentive driving.

 

 

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

 

      Senate Hearing Date(s):January 23, 1990; January 26, 1990

 

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5882 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Nelson, Chairman; McCaslin, Vice Chairman; Hayner, Madsen, Newhouse, Patrick, Rasmussen, Thorsness.

 

      Senate Staff:Cliff Petersen (786-7457)

                  February 14, 1990

 

 

                      AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 13, 1990

 

BACKGROUND:

 

Under current law, a person is guilty of reckless driving if he or she operates a vehicle in "willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property."  Negligent driving is less than, but included in the offense of reckless driving and requires "operation of a vehicle in such a manner as to endanger or is likely to endanger persons or property."  There is no offense under current law to cover "inattentive" driving.

 

A charge of reckless driving is a misdemeanor and carries a penalty of up to 90 days in the county jail, a fine not to exceed $1,000 and a 30 day license suspension.

 

Negligent driving convictions are misdemeanors with a fine not to exceed $250.  No jail or license suspension is provided.

 

SUMMARY:

 

The penalty for reckless driving is raised to a gross misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment of not more than one year and a fine of not more than $5,000.

 

The penalty for negligent driving remains a misdemeanor; however, the penalty is increased to include imprisonment of up to 90 days and a fine not to exceed $1,000.

 

Negligent driving and vehicular assault are delineated as crimes which may occur on private property.

 

To operate a vehicle in an inattentive manner is a traffic infraction.

 

Appropriation:    none

 

Revenue:    none

 

Fiscal Note:      requested

 

Senate Committee - Testified: Judge Thomas Wynne (pro); Mike Redman, WAPA (con); Rick Jensen (con); Judge McBeth (pro); Mike McKay, WAPA (con)