SB2348 Summary

• Creates new section 39-10-71.1 establishing motor vehicle owner liability for drivers who flee or elude peace officers, with a $500 statutory fee for violations.

• Motor vehicle owners are presumed to have violated the statute if their vehicle is involved in a fleeing violation, but peace officers may cite the owner instead of pursuing the driver.

• Provides exceptions allowing owners to avoid liability if the driver is charged separately, the vehicle was stolen, the owner identifies the driver with probable cause information, or if a lessee was operating the vehicle with proper lessor identification provided.

• Motor vehicle dealers are exempt from liability if the vehicle was being operated on a test drive and the dealer provides the test driver's identification to police.

• Establishes a 96-hour deadline for issuing traffic citations to motor vehicle owners under this new section, and prohibits dual charging of both the driver and owner for the same incident.