Sponsor Statement for HB 405

House Bill 405 increases the penalties for not stopping at the direction of a police officer. Failure to stop at the direction of a police officer in the first degree occurs if during the commission of the offense the person violates any other law and is a Class C felonly. Failure to stop at the direction of a peace officer in the second degree occurs if the person knowingly fails to stop as soon as possible in a safe manner and is a Class A misdemeanor.

The crime of eluding a police officer is inherently dangerous for pedestrians, other drivers and innocent bystanders. As an example in the Municipality of Anchorage in August of 1997, a passenger in a vehicle attempting to avoid arrest was killed when the vehicle ran a red light and struck a building. This is only one of several recent incidents where casualties have resulted from this very serious crime.

Increasing the penalties for this crime will not only help deter this potentially dangerous behavior but will more correctly align the severity of the punishment with the severity of the crime itself.

I urge your support for this legislation.