1     
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE MODIFICATIONS

2     
2018 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Steve Eliason

5     
Senate Sponsor: J. Stuart Adams

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill modifies penalties for driving under the influence if the individual is also
10     convicted for driving in the wrong direction during the same occurrence.
11     Highlighted Provisions:
12          This bill:
13          ▸     prohibits a plea to impaired driving if the individual was driving under the influence
14     and if the individual was also driving in the wrong direction on a freeway or
15     controlled-access highway during the same occurrence;
16          ▸     increases the penalty for driving under the influence to a class A misdemeanor if the
17     individual was also driving in the wrong direction on a freeway or controlled-access
18     highway during the same occurrence;
19          ▸     modifies ignition interlock requirements for an individual convicted of driving
20     under the influence if the individual was also driving in the wrong direction on a
21     freeway or controlled-access highway during the same occurrence;
22          ▸     modifies the definition of an alcohol restricted driver to include certain individuals
23     convicted of driving under the influence while also driving in the wrong direction
24     on a freeway or controlled-access highway; and
25          ▸     makes technical changes.
26     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
27          None

28     Other Special Clauses:
29          This bill provides a special effective date.
30     Utah Code Sections Affected:
31     AMENDS:
32          41-6a-503, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 214
33          41-6a-518.2, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2016, Chapter 149
34          41-6a-529 (Superseded 12/30/18), as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 226
35          41-6a-529 (Effective 12/30/18), as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 283
36     

37     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
38          Section 1. Section 41-6a-503 is amended to read:
39          41-6a-503. Penalties for driving under the influence violations.
40          (1) A person who violates for the first or second time Section 41-6a-502 is guilty of a:
41          (a) class B misdemeanor; or
42          (b) class A misdemeanor if the person:
43          (i) has also inflicted bodily injury upon another as a proximate result of having
44     operated the vehicle in a negligent manner;
45          (ii) had a passenger under 16 years of age in the vehicle at the time of the offense; [or]
46          (iii) was 21 years of age or older and had a passenger under 18 years of age in the
47     vehicle at the time of the offense[.]; or
48          (iv) at the time of the violation of Section 41-6a-502, also violated Section 41-6a-714.
49          (2) A person who violates Section 41-6a-502 is guilty of a third degree felony if:
50          (a) the person has also inflicted serious bodily injury upon another as a proximate
51     result of having operated the vehicle in a negligent manner;
52          (b) the person has two or more prior convictions as defined in Subsection
53     41-6a-501(2), each of which is within 10 years of:
54          (i) the current conviction under Section 41-6a-502; or
55          (ii) the commission of the offense upon which the current conviction is based; or
56          (c) the conviction under Section 41-6a-502 is at any time after a conviction of:
57          (i) automobile homicide under Section 76-5-207 that is committed after July 1, 2001;
58          (ii) a felony violation of Section 41-6a-502 or a statute previously in effect in this state

59     that would constitute a violation of Section 41-6a-502 that is committed after July 1, 2001; or
60          (iii) any conviction described in Subsection (2)(c)(i) or (ii) which judgment of
61     conviction is reduced under Section 76-3-402.
62          (3) A person is guilty of a separate offense for each victim suffering bodily injury or
63     serious bodily injury as a result of the person's violation of Section 41-6a-502 or death as a
64     result of the person's violation of Section 76-5-207 whether or not the injuries arise from the
65     same episode of driving.
66          Section 2. Section 41-6a-518.2 is amended to read:
67          41-6a-518.2. Interlock restricted driver -- Penalties for operation without ignition
68     interlock system.
69          (1) As used in this section:
70          (a) " Ignition interlock system" means a constant monitoring device or any similar
71     device that:
72          (i) is in working order at the time of operation or actual physical control; and
73          (ii) is certified by the Commissioner of Public Safety in accordance with Subsection
74     41-6a-518(8).
75          (b) (i) " Interlock restricted driver" means a person who:
76          (A) has been ordered by a court or the Board of Pardons and Parole as a condition of
77     probation or parole not to operate a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock system;
78          (B) within the last 18 months has been convicted of a driving under the influence
79     violation under Section 41-6a-502 that was committed on or after July 1, 2009;
80          (C) (I) within the last three years has been convicted of an offense that occurred after
81     May 1, 2006 which would be a conviction as defined under Section 41-6a-501; and
82          (II) the offense described under Subsection (1)(b)(i)(C)(I) is committed within 10 years
83     from the date that one or more prior offenses was committed if the prior offense resulted in a
84     conviction as defined in Subsection 41-6a-501(2);
85          (D) (I) within the last six years has been convicted of a violation of Section 41-6a-502
86     and Section 41-6a-714 during the same occurrence, and the offense occurred after May 8,
87     2018; and
88          (II) the offense described under Subsection (1)(b)(i)(D)(I) is committed within 10 years
89     from the date that one or more prior offenses were committed if the prior offense resulted in a

90     conviction as defined in Subsection 41-6a-501(2);
91          [(D)] (E) within the last three years has been convicted of a violation of this section;
92          [(E)] (F) within the last three years has had the person's driving privilege revoked for
93     refusal to submit to a chemical test under Section 41-6a-520, which refusal occurred after May
94     1, 2006;
95          [(F)] (G) within the last three years has been convicted of a violation of Section
96     41-6a-502 and was under the age of 21 at the time the offense was committed;
97          (H) within the last four years and six months has been convicted of a violation of
98     Section 41-6a-502 and Section 41-6a-714 during the same occurrence, and the offense occurred
99     after May 8, 2018;
100          [(G)] (I) within the last six years has been convicted of a felony violation of Section
101     41-6a-502 for an offense that occurred after May 1, 2006; [or]
102          (J) within the last nine years has been convicted of a felony violation of Section
103     41-6a-502 and a violation of Section 41-6a-714 during the same occurrence, and the offense
104     occurred after May 8, 2018;
105          [(H)] (K) within the last 10 years has been convicted of automobile homicide under
106     Section 76-5-207 for an offense that occurred after May 1, 2006[.]; or
107          (L) within the last 13 years has been convicted of a violation of automobile homicide
108     under Section 76-5-207 and a violation of Section 41-6a-714 during the same occurrence, and
109     the offense occurred after May 8, 2018.
110          (ii) " Interlock restricted driver" does not include a person:
111          (A) whose conviction described in Subsection (1)(b)(i)(C)(I) is a conviction under
112     Section 41-6a-517; and
113          (B) whose prior convictions described in Subsection (1)(b)(i)(C)(II) are all convictions
114     under Section 41-6a-517.
115          (2) The division shall post the ignition interlock restriction on a person's electronic
116     record that is available to law enforcement.
117          (3) For purposes of this section, a plea of guilty or no contest to a violation of Section
118     41-6a-502 which plea was held in abeyance under Title 77, Chapter 2a, Pleas in Abeyance,
119     prior to July 1, 2008, is the equivalent of a conviction, even if the charge has been subsequently
120     reduced or dismissed in accordance with the plea in abeyance agreement.

121          (4) An interlock restricted driver who operates or is in actual physical control of a
122     vehicle in the state without an ignition interlock system is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
123          (5) It is an affirmative defense to a charge of a violation of Subsection (4) if:
124          (a) the interlock restricted driver operated or was in actual physical control of a vehicle
125     owned by the interlock restricted driver's employer;
126          (b) the interlock restricted driver had given written notice to the employer of the
127     interlock restricted driver's interlock restricted status prior to the operation or actual physical
128     control under Subsection (5)(a);
129          (c) the interlock restricted driver had on the interlock restricted driver's person, or in
130     the vehicle, at the time of operation or physical control employer verification, as defined in
131     Subsection 41-6a-518(1); and
132          (d) the operation or actual physical control described in Subsection (5)(a) was in the
133     scope of the interlock restricted driver's employment.
134          (6) The affirmative defense described in Subsection (5) does not apply to:
135          (a) an employer-owned motor vehicle that is made available to an interlock restricted
136     driver for personal use; or
137          (b) a motor vehicle owned by a business entity that is entirely or partly owned or
138     controlled by the interlock restricted driver.
139          Section 3. Section 41-6a-529 (Superseded 12/30/18) is amended to read:
140          41-6a-529 (Superseded 12/30/18). Definitions -- Alcohol restricted drivers.
141          (1) As used in this section and Section 41-6a-530, "alcohol restricted driver" means a
142     person who:
143          (a) within the last two years:
144          (i) has been convicted of:
145          (A) a misdemeanor violation of Section 41-6a-502;
146          (B) alcohol, any drug, or a combination of both-related reckless driving under Section
147     41-6a-512;
148          (C) impaired driving under Section 41-6a-502.5;
149          (D) local ordinances similar to Section 41-6a-502, alcohol, any drug, or a combination
150     of both-related reckless driving, or impaired driving adopted in compliance with Section
151     41-6a-510;

152          (E) a violation described in Subsections (1)(a)(i)(A) through (D), which judgment of
153     conviction is reduced under Section 76-3-402; or
154          (F) statutes or ordinances previously in effect in this state or in effect in any other state,
155     the United States, or any district, possession, or territory of the United States which would
156     constitute a violation of Section 41-6a-502, alcohol, any drug, or a combination of both-related
157     reckless driving, or impaired driving if committed in this state, including punishments
158     administered under 10 U.S.C. Sec. 815; or
159          (ii) has had the person's driving privilege suspended under Section 53-3-223 for an
160     alcohol-related offense based on an arrest which occurred on or after July 1, 2005;
161          (b) within the last three years has been convicted of a violation of this section or
162     Section 41-6a-518.2;
163          (c) within the last five years:
164          (i) has had the person's driving privilege revoked for refusal to submit to a chemical
165     test under Section 41-6a-520, which refusal occurred on or after July 1, 2005; or
166          (ii) has been convicted of a class A misdemeanor violation of Section 41-6a-502
167     committed on or after July 1, 2008;
168          (d) within the last seven years has been convicted of a violation of Section 41-6a-502
169     and Section 41-6a-714 during the same occurrence, and the offense occurred after May 8,
170     2018;
171          [(d)] (e) within the last 10 years:
172          (i) has been convicted of an offense described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) which offense
173     was committed within 10 years of the commission of a prior offense described in Subsection
174     (1)(a)(i) for which the person was convicted; or
175          (ii) has had the person's driving privilege revoked for refusal to submit to a chemical
176     test and the refusal is within 10 years after:
177          (A) a prior refusal to submit to a chemical test under Section 41-6a-520; or
178          (B) a prior conviction for an offense described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) which is not
179     based on the same arrest as the refusal;
180          (f) within the last 15 years has been convicted of a violation of Section 41-6a-502 and
181     Section 41-6a-714 during the same occurrence, which offense was committed within 10 years
182     of the commission of a prior offense described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) for which the person was

183     convicted, and the offense occurred after May 8, 2018;
184          [(e)] (g) at any time has been convicted of:
185          (i) automobile homicide under Section 76-5-207 for an offense that occurred on or
186     after July 1, 2005; or
187          (ii) a felony violation of Section 41-6a-502 for an offense that occurred on or after July
188     1, 2005; or
189          [(f)] (h) at the time of operation of a vehicle is under 21 years of age.
190          (2) For purposes of this section and Section 41-6a-530, a plea of guilty or no contest to
191     a violation described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) which plea was held in abeyance under Title 77,
192     Chapter 2a, Pleas in Abeyance, prior to July 1, 2008, is the equivalent of a conviction, even if
193     the charge has been subsequently reduced or dismissed in accordance with the plea in abeyance
194     agreement.
195          Section 4. Section 41-6a-529 (Effective 12/30/18) is amended to read:
196          41-6a-529 (Effective 12/30/18). Definitions -- Alcohol restricted drivers.
197          (1) As used in this section and Section 41-6a-530, "alcohol restricted driver" means a
198     person who:
199          (a) within the last two years:
200          (i) has been convicted of:
201          (A) a misdemeanor violation of Section 41-6a-502;
202          (B) alcohol, any drug, or a combination of both-related reckless driving under Section
203     41-6a-512;
204          (C) impaired driving under Section 41-6a-502.5;
205          (D) local ordinances similar to Section 41-6a-502, alcohol, any drug, or a combination
206     of both-related reckless driving, or impaired driving adopted in compliance with Section
207     41-6a-510;
208          (E) a violation described in Subsections (1)(a)(i)(A) through (D), which judgment of
209     conviction is reduced under Section 76-3-402; or
210          (F) statutes or ordinances previously in effect in this state or in effect in any other state,
211     the United States, or any district, possession, or territory of the United States which would
212     constitute a violation of Section 41-6a-502, alcohol, any drug, or a combination of both-related
213     reckless driving, or impaired driving if committed in this state, including punishments

214     administered under 10 U.S.C. Sec. 815; or
215          (ii) has had the person's driving privilege suspended under Section 53-3-223 for an
216     alcohol-related offense based on an arrest which occurred on or after July 1, 2005;
217          (b) within the last three years has been convicted of a violation of this section or
218     Section 41-6a-518.2;
219          (c) within the last five years:
220          (i) has had the person's driving privilege revoked for refusal to submit to a chemical
221     test under Section 41-6a-520, which refusal occurred on or after July 1, 2005; or
222          (ii) has been convicted of a class A misdemeanor violation of Section 41-6a-502
223     committed on or after July 1, 2008;
224          (d) within the last seven years has been convicted of a violation of Section 41-6a-502
225     and Section 41-6a-714 during the same occurrence, and the offense occurred after May 8,
226     2018;
227          [(d)] (e) within the last 10 years:
228          (i) has been convicted of an offense described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) which offense
229     was committed within 10 years of the commission of a prior offense described in Subsection
230     (1)(a)(i) for which the person was convicted; or
231          (ii) has had the person's driving privilege revoked for refusal to submit to a chemical
232     test and the refusal is within 10 years after:
233          (A) a prior refusal to submit to a chemical test under Section 41-6a-520; or
234          (B) a prior conviction for an offense described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) which is not
235     based on the same arrest as the refusal;
236          (f) within the last 15 years has been convicted of a violation of Section 41-6a-502 and
237     Section 41-6a-714 during the same occurrence, which offense was committed within 10 years
238     of the commission of a prior offense described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) for which the person was
239     convicted, and the offense occurred after May 8, 2018;
240          [(e)] (g) at any time has been convicted of:
241          (i) automobile homicide under Section 76-5-207 for an offense that occurred on or
242     after July 1, 2005; or
243          (ii) a felony violation of Section 41-6a-502 for an offense that occurred on or after July
244     1, 2005;

245          [(f)] (h) at the time of operation of a vehicle is under 21 years of age; or
246          [(g)] (i) is a novice learner driver or a novice licensed driver.
247          (2) For purposes of this section and Section 41-6a-530, a plea of guilty or no contest to
248     a violation described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) which plea was held in abeyance under Title 77,
249     Chapter 2a, Pleas in Abeyance, prior to July 1, 2008, is the equivalent of a conviction, even if
250     the charge has been subsequently reduced or dismissed in accordance with the plea in abeyance
251     agreement.
252          Section 5. Effective date.
253          This bill takes effect on May 8, 2018, except that the amendments to Section 41-6a-529
254     (Effective 12/30/18) take effect on December 30, 2018.






Legislative Review Note
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel