Bill > HB2064

This bill establishes enhanced legal protections and penalties for drivers who cause physical injury or death to vulnerable pedestrians in Arizona. Specifically, the bill defines a "vulnerable pedestrian" as a person with physical disabilities who uses mobility aids like white canes, visual aids, or service animals. If a driver recklessly or negligently injures a vulnerable pedestrian, they will face a class 1 misdemeanor with mandatory consequences including a minimum $2,000 fine, a 90-day driver's license suspension, mandatory vulnerable pedestrian awareness training, and 100 hours of community service at facilities serving blind or visually impaired persons or service animal organizations. For more serious incidents involving death or serious physical injury, the offense becomes a class 4 felony with more severe penalties, including a one-year driver's license suspension, 200 hours of community service, and mandatory traffic survival school. The bill also requires defensive driving and driver education programs to include educational information about vulnerable pedestrians, and mandates that any restitution consider long-term care costs, mobility aid replacement, emotional distress, and service animal training expenses. Judges may adjust sentencing based on the driver's prior record and the severity of the incident.

Justice

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/83631