Senate committee advances civil citation for vehicle owners after fleeing drivers, strips points provision

The Senate Transportation Committee on a voice roll advanced House Bill 1229 as amended, a measure that would allow law enforcement to issue a civil traffic citation to the registered owner of a vehicle when an officer identifies a vehicle whose driver fled a stop.

Sponsor Representative Austin Shower (District 13, West Fargo) told the committee the bill “is to give authorities a law enforcement tool to reduce the crime of fleeing drivers.” Shower said the proposal is modeled on existing law that presumes an owner’s responsibility when a motorist passes a stopped school bus, and would let police follow up after they obtain a license plate or give a visual or audible signal to stop.

Chief Dave Zabalski of the Fargo Police Department said the measure is a response to rising fleeing incidents. Zabalski provided committee figures showing fleeing incidents in Fargo rose from 101 in 2019 to 290 in 2024 and said most fleeing vehicles were not stolen. “House Bill 1229 will provide law enforcement with an important tool to appropriately follow-up, investigate, identify and arrest those persons who choose to flee from traffic stops,” he said.

Supporters, including the Chiefs…