Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 10.

Under present law, a person who drives any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property commits the Class B misdemeanor offense reckless driving. In addition to the penalty for a Class B misdemeanor (up to six months imprisonment and a fine of up to $500), the court is required to assess an additional fine of $50.00 against a person convicted of reckless driving. Generally, the proceeds from the additional $50.00 fine must be spent for purposes related to treatment, testing, and supervision of offenders with drug, alcohol, or co-occurring disorders. This bill creates a new Class A misdemeanor offense aggravated reckless driving. A person commits aggravated reckless driving who: (1) Commits reckless driving; and (2) Intentionally or knowingly impedes traffic upon a public street, highway, alley, parking lot, or driveway, or on the premises of a shopping center, trailer park, apartment house complex, or any other premises accessible to motor vehicles that are generally frequented by the public at large. In addition to the penalty for a Class A misdemeanor (up to 11 months and 29 days imprisonment and a fine of up to $2,500), the court will be authorized to assess an additional fine of up to $2,500 against a person convicted of aggravated reckless driving. The proceeds of any additional fine levied for commission of aggravated reckless driving must be expended for the same purposes as additional fines for reckless driving under present law. This bill clarifies present law by specifying that the procedure for collection of additional funds for reckless driving offenses is collection by county clerks and deposit into dedicated county funds. ON APRIL 27, 2022, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 1673 FOR HOUSE BILL 1661, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1, AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1673, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 corrects a reference from "aggravated driving" to "aggravated reckless driving".