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Occurrences of hit-and-run remain a major traffic safety issue in Los Angeles, California. In fact, statistical data shows that of the approximately 20,000 incidents recorded every year in the county, around 4,000 of them either result in injuries or deaths, mostly to innocent pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and other drivers. Despite the efforts of law enforcement agencies to apprehend drivers, these accidents still occur at tremendous levels. Yes, the existing laws are there, but are they enough to lessen, if not totally eradicate, the growing number of hit-and-run incidents?
Assemblyman Michael Anthony “Mike” Gatto, who leads the 43rd State Assembly District of California, thought of ways to solve this recurring issue. He did so by introducing bills that would further enforce the current hit-and-run laws in California. Just last year, he introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 184, which was signed by Governor Edmund “Jerry” Brown and was one of the new traffic laws that were implemented on the first day of 2014.
The bill extends the statute of limitations or time limits for filing charges against alleged hit-and-run offenders to six years from the date of the offense, or one year after law enforcement officers have identified possible suspects. With the passage of the bill and its current implementation, victims of hit-and-run crashes can now hope that they can soon obtain the justice they deserve. Also, the bill would also intensify hit-and-run investigations on the part of law enforcement agencies throughout California.
While AB 184 is a great addition to the current California traffic laws, Gatto wasn’t done with it. Apparently, he recently filed another bill called AB 1532. This second hit-and-run-related bill, which he introduced January 21, 2014, provides that motor vehicle drivers committing hit-and-run offenses and are convicted of such, regardless if the victim was seriously or fatally injured or not, would be suspended of their driver’s licenses for 6 months.
If passed, it would be a new addition to the existing penalties for convicted hit-and-run offenders. Currently, offenders found guilty of leaving the scene of the accident may face county jail sentences of up to six months and/or be asked to pay a fine of no more than $1,000.00. Also, if passed, the California Department of Motor Vehicles would be responsible for enforcing the mandate of suspending drivers’ licenses.
Assemblyman Gatto believes that the new bill is a “sensible fix to the law,” and that it would give hit-and-run victims “solace, knowing that cowards who drive recklessly, and purposefully avoid responsibility for their actions, are no longer driving the streets.” A personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles echoed Gatto’s statements, adding that raising awareness through campaigns and education initiatives from local agencies would further bolster the fight against errant and wayward drivers.
For more info regarding hit and run visit us at http://www.mesrianilaw.com/
Assemblyman Michael Anthony “Mike” Gatto, who leads the 43rd State Assembly District of California, thought of ways to solve this recurring issue. He did so by introducing bills that would further enforce the current hit-and-run laws in California. Just last year, he introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 184, which was signed by Governor Edmund “Jerry” Brown and was one of the new traffic laws that were implemented on the first day of 2014.
The bill extends the statute of limitations or time limits for filing charges against alleged hit-and-run offenders to six years from the date of the offense, or one year after law enforcement officers have identified possible suspects. With the passage of the bill and its current implementation, victims of hit-and-run crashes can now hope that they can soon obtain the justice they deserve. Also, the bill would also intensify hit-and-run investigations on the part of law enforcement agencies throughout California.
While AB 184 is a great addition to the current California traffic laws, Gatto wasn’t done with it. Apparently, he recently filed another bill called AB 1532. This second hit-and-run-related bill, which he introduced January 21, 2014, provides that motor vehicle drivers committing hit-and-run offenses and are convicted of such, regardless if the victim was seriously or fatally injured or not, would be suspended of their driver’s licenses for 6 months.
If passed, it would be a new addition to the existing penalties for convicted hit-and-run offenders. Currently, offenders found guilty of leaving the scene of the accident may face county jail sentences of up to six months and/or be asked to pay a fine of no more than $1,000.00. Also, if passed, the California Department of Motor Vehicles would be responsible for enforcing the mandate of suspending drivers’ licenses.
Assemblyman Gatto believes that the new bill is a “sensible fix to the law,” and that it would give hit-and-run victims “solace, knowing that cowards who drive recklessly, and purposefully avoid responsibility for their actions, are no longer driving the streets.” A personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles echoed Gatto’s statements, adding that raising awareness through campaigns and education initiatives from local agencies would further bolster the fight against errant and wayward drivers.
For more info regarding hit and run visit us at http://www.mesrianilaw.com/
