The proposed bill seeks to amend section 28-622.01 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, which currently classifies the offense of willfully fleeing from law enforcement as a class 5 felony. Under the new provisions, a driver who engages in such behavior while recklessly endangering another person's life would face a heightened penalty of a class 4 felony. This change aims to address the severity of the offense when it poses a greater risk to public safety.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new classification for more serious violations of the fleeing statute. Specifically, it establishes that a driver could be charged with a class 2 felony if they cause serious physical injury to another person, transport a minor under the age of fifteen during the offense, or have prior convictions for driving under the influence. These amendments are designed to enhance penalties for more egregious instances of unlawful flight, thereby promoting greater accountability and safety on the roads.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 28-622.01