2018 Utah Code
Title 41 - Motor Vehicles
Chapter 6a - Traffic Code
Part 5 - Driving Under the Influence and Reckless Driving
Section 501 - Definitions.

Universal Citation: UT Code § 41-6a-501 (2018)
Effective 12/30/2018
41-6a-501. Definitions.
  • (1) As used in this part:
    • (a) "Assessment" means an in-depth clinical interview with a licensed mental health therapist:
      • (i) used to determine if a person is in need of:
        • (A) substance abuse treatment that is obtained at a substance abuse program;
        • (B) an educational series; or
        • (C) a combination of Subsections (1)(a)(i)(A) and (B); and
      • (ii) that is approved by the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health in accordance with Section 62A-15-105.
    • (b) "Driving under the influence court" means a court that is approved as a driving under the influence court by the Utah Judicial Council according to standards established by the Judicial Council.
    • (c) "Drug" or "drugs" means:
      • (i) a controlled substance as defined in Section 58-37-2;
      • (ii) a drug as defined in Section 58-17b-102; or
      • (iii) any substance that, when knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly taken into the human body, can impair the ability of a person to safely operate a motor vehicle.
    • (d) "Educational series" means an educational series obtained at a substance abuse program that is approved by the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health in accordance with Section 62A-15-105.
    • (e) "Negligence" means simple negligence, the failure to exercise that degree of care that an ordinarily reasonable and prudent person exercises under like or similar circumstances.
    • (f) "Novice learner driver" means an individual who:
      • (i) has applied for a Utah driver license;
      • (ii) has not previously held a driver license in this state or another state; and
      • (iii) has not completed the requirements for issuance of a Utah driver license.
    • (g) "Screening" means a preliminary appraisal of a person:
      • (i) used to determine if the person is in need of:
        • (A) an assessment; or
        • (B) an educational series; and
      • (ii) that is approved by the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health in accordance with Section 62A-15-105.
    • (h) "Serious bodily injury" means bodily injury that creates or causes:
      • (i) serious permanent disfigurement;
      • (ii) protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ; or
      • (iii) a substantial risk of death.
    • (i) "Substance abuse treatment" means treatment obtained at a substance abuse program that is approved by the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health in accordance with Section 62A-15-105.
    • (j) "Substance abuse treatment program" means a state licensed substance abuse program.
    • (k)
      • (i) "Vehicle" or "motor vehicle" means a vehicle or motor vehicle as defined in Section 41-6a-102; and
      • (ii) "Vehicle" or "motor vehicle" includes:
        • (A) an off-highway vehicle as defined under Section 41-22-2; and
        • (B) a motorboat as defined in Section 73-18-2.
  • (2) As used in Section 41-6a-503:
    • (a) "Conviction" means any conviction arising from a separate episode of driving for a violation of:
      • (i) driving under the influence under Section 41-6a-502;
      • (ii)
        • (A) for an offense committed before July 1, 2008, alcohol, any drug, or a combination of both-related reckless driving under:
          • (I) Section 41-6a-512; and
          • (II) Section 41-6a-528; or
        • (B) for an offense committed on or after July 1, 2008, impaired driving under Section 41-6a-502.5;
      • (iii) driving with any measurable controlled substance that is taken illegally in the body under Section 41-6a-517;
      • (iv) local ordinances similar to Section 41-6a-502, alcohol, any drug, or a combination of both-related reckless driving, or impaired driving under Section 41-6a-502.5 adopted in compliance with Section 41-6a-510;
      • (v) automobile homicide under Section 76-5-207;
      • (vi) Subsection 58-37-8(2)(g);
      • (vii) a violation described in Subsections (2)(a)(i) through (vi), which judgment of conviction is reduced under Section 76-3-402; or
      • (viii) statutes or ordinances previously in effect in this state or in effect in any other state, the United States, or any district, possession, or territory of the United States which would constitute a violation of Section 41-6a-502 or alcohol, any drug, or a combination of both-related reckless driving if committed in this state, including punishments administered under 10 U.S.C. Sec. 815.
    • (b) A plea of guilty or no contest to a violation described in Subsections (2)(a)(i) through (viii) which plea was held in abeyance under Title 77, Chapter 2a, Pleas in Abeyance, prior to July 1, 2008, is the equivalent of a conviction, even if the charge has been subsequently reduced or dismissed in accordance with the plea in abeyance agreement, for purposes of:
      • (i) enhancement of penalties under:
        • (A) this Chapter 6a, Part 5, Driving Under the Influence and Reckless Driving; and
        • (B) automobile homicide under Section 76-5-207; and
      • (ii) expungement under Title 77, Chapter 40, Utah Expungement Act.


Amended by Chapter 52, 2018 General Session
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