S-4770

AN ACT Relating to road rage; amending RCW 9.94A.390 and 13.40.150; reenacting and amending RCW 46.63.020; adding a new section to chapter 46.61 RCW; creating a new section; prescribing penalties; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature intends to reduce the deaths, injuries, and property damage resulting from inappropriate aggressive driving. The cost to the families, survivors, and taxpayers associated with accidents involving aggressive driving is in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually and continues to grow as congestion and population increases. The legislature does not recognize aggressive driving as a defense or mental disorder in criminal or civil litigation, but does not intend to reform or affect the law on self-defense.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 46.61 RCW to read as follows:

(1) A person who commits any two or more acts of aggressive driving within five consecutive miles, in a manner which intimidates or threatens another person, is guilty of the crime of aggressive driving.

(2)(a) The first violation of this section within a five-year period is a misdemeanor and shall be punished as follows:

(i) By imprisonment for not less than one day. Twenty-four consecutive hours of the imprisonment may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds that the imposition of this mandatory minimum sentence would impose a substantial risk to the offender's physical or mental well-being. Whenever the mandatory minimum sentence is suspended or deferred, the court shall state in writing the reason for granting the suspension or deferral and the facts upon which the suspension or deferral is based; and

(ii) By a fine of not less than three hundred fifty dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. Three hundred fifty dollars of the fine may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds the offender to be indigent.

(b) A second or subsequent violation of this section within a five-year period is a gross misdemeanor and shall be punished as follows:

(i) By imprisonment for not less than two days. Two consecutive days of the imprisonment may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds that the imposition of this mandatory minimum sentence would impose a substantial risk to the offender's physical or mental well-being. Whenever the mandatory minimum sentence is suspended or deferred, the court shall state in writing the reason for granting the suspension or deferral and the facts upon which the suspension or deferral is based; and

(ii) By a fine of not less than five hundred dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. Five hundred dollars of the fine may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds the offender to be indigent.

(3) For the purposes of this section, the following traffic infractions are acts of aggressive driving:

(a) RCW 46.61.050

(b) RCW 46.61.060

(d) RCW 46.61.110

(e) RCW 46.61.130

(f) RCW 46.61.145

(g) RCW 46.61.150

(h) RCW 46.61.180

(i) RCW 46.61.185

(j) RCW 46.61.190

(k) RCW 46.61.195

(l) RCW 46.61.245

(m) RCW 46.61.290

(n) RCW 46.61.295

(o) RCW 46.61.305

(p) RCW 46.61.345

(q) RCW 46.61.370

(r) RCW 46.61.400

(s) RCW 46.61.425

(t) RCW 46.61.440

(u) RCW 46.61.527(2)

(v) RCW 46.61.560

(w) RCW 46.61.570

(x) RCW 46.61.620

(y) RCW 46.61.645(1)

(z) RCW 46.61.670

Sec. 3. RCW 46.63.020 and 1997 c 229 s 13 and 1997 c 66 s 8 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

Failure to perform any act required or the performance of any act prohibited by this title or an equivalent administrative regulation or local law, ordinance, regulation, or resolution relating to traffic including parking, standing, stopping, and pedestrian offenses, is designated as a traffic infraction and may not be classified as a criminal offense, except for an offense contained in the following provisions of this title or a violation of an equivalent administrative regulation or local law, ordinance, regulation, or resolution:

(1) RCW 46.09.120(2) relating to the operation of a nonhighway vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance;

(2) RCW 46.09.130 relating to operation of nonhighway vehicles;

(3) RCW 46.10.090(2) relating to the operation of a snowmobile while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotics or habit‑forming drugs or in a manner endangering the person of another;

(4) RCW 46.10.130 relating to the operation of snowmobiles;

(5) Chapter 46.12 RCW relating to certificates of ownership and registration and markings indicating that a vehicle has been destroyed or declared a total loss;

(6) RCW 46.16.010 relating to initial registration of motor vehicles;

(7) RCW 46.16.011 relating to permitting unauthorized persons to drive;

(8) RCW 46.16.160 relating to vehicle trip permits;

(9) RCW 46.16.381 (6) or (9) relating to unauthorized use or acquisition of a special placard or license plate for disabled persons' parking;

(10) RCW 46.20.005 relating to driving without a valid driver's license;

(11) RCW 46.20.091 relating to false statements regarding a driver's license or instruction permit;

(12) RCW 46.20.336 relating to the unlawful possession and use of a driver's license;

(13) RCW 46.20.342 relating to driving with a suspended or revoked license or status;

(14) RCW 46.20.410 relating to the violation of restrictions of an occupational driver's license;

(15) RCW 46.20.420 relating to the operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended or revoked license;

(16) RCW 46.20.740 relating to operation of a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock device in violation of a license notation that the device is required;

(17) RCW 46.20.750 relating to assisting another person to start a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device;

(18) RCW 46.25.170 relating to commercial driver's licenses;

(19) Chapter 46.29 RCW relating to financial responsibility;

(20) RCW 46.30.040 relating to providing false evidence of financial responsibility;

(21) RCW 46.37.435 relating to wrongful installation of sunscreening material;

(22) RCW 46.44.180 relating to operation of mobile home pilot vehicles;

(23) RCW 46.48.175 relating to the transportation of dangerous articles;

(24) RCW 46.52.010 relating to duty on striking an unattended car or other property;

(25) RCW 46.52.020 relating to duty in case of injury to or death of a person or damage to an attended vehicle;

(26) RCW 46.52.090 relating to reports by repairmen, storagemen, and appraisers;

(27) RCW 46.52.100 relating to driving under the influence of liquor or drugs;

(28) RCW 46.52.130 relating to confidentiality of the driving record to be furnished to an insurance company, an employer, and an alcohol/drug assessment or treatment agency;

(29) RCW 46.55.020 relating to engaging in the activities of a registered tow truck operator without a registration certificate;

(30) RCW 46.55.035 relating to prohibited practices by tow truck operators;

(31) RCW 46.61.015 relating to obedience to police officers, flagmen, or fire fighters;

(32) RCW 46.61.020 relating to refusal to give information to or cooperate with an officer;

(33) RCW 46.61.022 relating to failure to stop and give identification to an officer;

(34) RCW 46.61.024 relating to attempting to elude pursuing police vehicles;

(35) RCW 46.61.500 relating to reckless driving;

(36) RCW 46.61.502 and 46.61.504 relating to persons under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs;

(37) RCW 46.61.503 relating to a person under age twenty-one driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol;

(38) RCW 46.61.520 relating to vehicular homicide by motor vehicle;

(39) RCW 46.61.522 relating to vehicular assault;

(40) RCW 46.61.5249 relating to first degree negligent driving;

(41) RCW 46.61.527(4) relating to reckless endangerment of roadway workers;

(42) RCW 46.61.530 relating to racing of vehicles on highways;

(43) RCW 46.61.685 relating to leaving children in an unattended vehicle with the motor running;

(44) RCW 46.61.--- (section 2 of this act) relating to aggressive driving;

(45) RCW 46.64.010 relating to unlawful cancellation of or attempt to cancel a traffic citation;

((~~(45)~~)) (46) RCW 46.64.048 relating to attempting, aiding, abetting, coercing, and committing crimes;

((~~(46)~~)) (47) Chapter 46.65 RCW relating to habitual traffic offenders;

((~~(47)~~)) (48) RCW 46.68.010 relating to false statements made to obtain a refund;

((~~(48)~~)) (49) Chapter 46.70 RCW relating to unfair motor vehicle business practices, except where that chapter provides for the assessment of monetary penalties of a civil nature;

((~~(49)~~)) (50) Chapter 46.72 RCW relating to the transportation of passengers in for hire vehicles;

((~~(50)~~)) (51) RCW 46.72A.060 relating to limousine carrier insurance;

((~~(51)~~)) (52) RCW 46.72A.070 relating to operation of a limousine without a vehicle certificate;

((~~(52)~~)) (53) RCW 46.72A.080 relating to false advertising by a limousine carrier;

((~~(53)~~)) (54) Chapter 46.80 RCW relating to motor vehicle wreckers;

((~~(54)~~)) (55) Chapter 46.82 RCW relating to driver's training schools;

((~~(55)~~)) (56) RCW 46.87.260 relating to alteration or forgery of a cab card, letter of authority, or other temporary authority issued under chapter 46.87 RCW;

((~~(56)~~)) (57) RCW 46.87.290 relating to operation of an unregistered or unlicensed vehicle under chapter 46.87 RCW.

Sec. 4. RCW 9.94A.390 and 1997 c 52 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

If the sentencing court finds that an exceptional sentence outside the standard range should be imposed in accordance with RCW 9.94A.120(2), the sentence is subject to review only as provided for in RCW 9.94A.210(4).

The following are illustrative factors which the court may consider in the exercise of its discretion to impose an exceptional sentence. The following are illustrative only and are not intended to be exclusive reasons for exceptional sentences.

(1) Mitigating Circumstances

(a) To a significant degree, the victim was an initiator, willing participant, aggressor, or provoker of the incident.

(b) Before detection, the defendant compensated, or made a good faith effort to compensate, the victim of the criminal conduct for any damage or injury sustained.

(c) The defendant committed the crime under duress, coercion, threat, or compulsion insufficient to constitute a complete defense but which significantly affected his or her conduct.

(d) The defendant, with no apparent predisposition to do so, was induced by others to participate in the crime.

(e) The defendant's capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of his or her conduct or to conform his or her conduct to the requirements of the law, was significantly impaired (voluntary use of drugs or alcohol is excluded).

(f) The offense was principally accomplished by another person and the defendant manifested extreme caution or sincere concern for the safety or well-being of the victim.

(g) The operation of the multiple offense policy of RCW 9.94A.400 results in a presumptive sentence that is clearly excessive in light of the purpose of this chapter, as expressed in RCW 9.94A.010.

(h) The defendant or the defendant's children suffered a continuing pattern of physical or sexual abuse by the victim of the offense and the offense is a response to that abuse.

(2) Aggravating Circumstances

(a) The defendant's conduct during the commission of the current offense manifested deliberate cruelty to the victim.

(b) The defendant knew or should have known that the victim of the current offense was particularly vulnerable or incapable of resistance due to extreme youth, advanced age, disability, or ill health.

(c) The current offense was a violent offense, and the defendant knew that the victim of the current offense was pregnant.

(d) The current offense was a major economic offense or series of offenses, so identified by a consideration of any of the following factors:

(i) The current offense involved multiple victims or multiple incidents per victim;

(ii) The current offense involved attempted or actual monetary loss substantially greater than typical for the offense;

(iii) The current offense involved a high degree of sophistication or planning or occurred over a lengthy period of time; or

(iv) The defendant used his or her position of trust, confidence, or fiduciary responsibility to facilitate the commission of the current offense.

(e) The current offense was a major violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, chapter 69.50 RCW (VUCSA), related to trafficking in controlled substances, which was more onerous than the typical offense of its statutory definition: The presence of ANY of the following may identify a current offense as a major VUCSA:

(i) The current offense involved at least three separate transactions in which controlled substances were sold, transferred, or possessed with intent to do so;

(ii) The current offense involved an attempted or actual sale or transfer of controlled substances in quantities substantially larger than for personal use;

(iii) The current offense involved the manufacture of controlled substances for use by other parties;

(iv) The circumstances of the current offense reveal the offender to have occupied a high position in the drug distribution hierarchy;

(v) The current offense involved a high degree of sophistication or planning or occurred over a lengthy period of time or involved a broad geographic area of disbursement; or

(vi) The offender used his or her position or status to facilitate the commission of the current offense, including positions of trust, confidence or fiduciary responsibility (e.g., pharmacist, physician, or other medical professional).

(f) The current offense included a finding of sexual motivation pursuant to RCW 9.94A.127.

(g) The offense was part of an ongoing pattern of sexual abuse of the same victim under the age of eighteen years manifested by multiple incidents over a prolonged period of time.

(h) The current offense involved domestic violence, as defined in RCW 10.99.020 and one or more of the following was present:

(i) The offense was part of an ongoing pattern of psychological, physical, or sexual abuse of the victim manifested by multiple incidents over a prolonged period of time;

(ii) The offense occurred within sight or sound of the victim's or the offender's minor children under the age of eighteen years; or

(iii) The offender's conduct during the commission of the current offense manifested deliberate cruelty or intimidation of the victim.

(i) The operation of the multiple offense policy of RCW 9.94A.400 results in a presumptive sentence that is clearly too lenient in light of the purpose of this chapter, as expressed in RCW 9.94A.010.

(j) The defendant's prior unscored misdemeanor or prior unscored foreign criminal history results in a presumptive sentence that is clearly too lenient in light of the purpose of this chapter as expressed in RCW 9.94A.010.

(k) The offense resulted in the pregnancy of a child victim of rape.

(l) The offender's conduct during or leading to the offense included an act of aggressive driving as defined in section 2(3) of this act.

Sec. 5. RCW 13.40.150 and 1997 c 338 s 24 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) In disposition hearings all relevant and material evidence, including oral and written reports, may be received by the court and may be relied upon to the extent of its probative value, even though such evidence may not be admissible in a hearing on the information. The youth or the youth's counsel and the prosecuting attorney shall be afforded an opportunity to examine and controvert written reports so received and to cross-examine individuals making reports when such individuals are reasonably available, but sources of confidential information need not be disclosed. The prosecutor and counsel for the juvenile may submit recommendations for disposition.

(2) For purposes of disposition:

(a) Violations which are current offenses count as misdemeanors;

(b) Violations may not count as part of the offender's criminal history;

(3) Before entering a dispositional order as to a respondent found to have committed an offense, the court shall hold a disposition hearing, at which the court shall:

(a) Consider the facts supporting the allegations of criminal conduct by the respondent;

(b) Consider information and arguments offered by parties and their counsel;

(d) Consult with the respondent's parent, guardian, or custodian on the appropriateness of dispositional options under consideration and afford the respondent and the respondent's parent, guardian, or custodian an opportunity to speak in the respondent's behalf;

(e) Allow the victim or a representative of the victim and an investigative law enforcement officer to speak;

(f) Determine the amount of restitution owing to the victim, if any, or set a hearing for a later date to determine the amount;

(g) Determine the respondent's offender score;

(h) Consider whether or not any of the following mitigating factors exist:

(i) The respondent's conduct neither caused nor threatened serious bodily injury or the respondent did not contemplate that his or her conduct would cause or threaten serious bodily injury;

(ii) The respondent acted under strong and immediate provocation;

(iii) The respondent was suffering from a mental or physical condition that significantly reduced his or her culpability for the offense though failing to establish a defense;

(iv) Prior to his or her detection, the respondent compensated or made a good faith attempt to compensate the victim for the injury or loss sustained; and

(v) There has been at least one year between the respondent's current offense and any prior criminal offense;

(i) Consider whether or not any of the following aggravating factors exist:

(i) In the commission of the offense, or in flight therefrom, the respondent inflicted or attempted to inflict serious bodily injury to another;

(ii) The offense was committed in an especially heinous, cruel, or depraved manner;

(iii) The victim or victims were particularly vulnerable;

(iv) The respondent has a recent criminal history or has failed to comply with conditions of a recent dispositional order or diversion agreement;

(v) The current offense included a finding of sexual motivation pursuant to RCW 13.40.135;

(vi) The respondent was the leader of a criminal enterprise involving several persons;

(vii) There are other complaints which have resulted in diversion or a finding or plea of guilty but which are not included as criminal history; ((~~and~~))

(viii) The standard range disposition is clearly too lenient considering the seriousness of the juvenile's prior adjudications; and

(ix) The respondent's conduct during or leading to the offense included an act of aggressive driving as defined in section 2(3) of this act.

(4) The following factors may not be considered in determining the punishment to be imposed:

(a) The sex of the respondent;

(b) The race or color of the respondent or the respondent's family;

(d) The economic or social class of the respondent or the respondent's family; and

(e) Factors indicating that the respondent may be or is a dependent child within the meaning of this chapter.

(5) A court may not commit a juvenile to a state institution solely because of the lack of facilities, including treatment facilities, existing in the community.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. This act takes effect July 1, 1998.