New California Traffic Bill to Suspend Hit-and-Run Drivers’ Licenses

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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.

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Hit-and-run, Literally

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Accidents are supposed to be gory, and life threatening. As you see on TV news, lots of people get injured and even dead because of such accidents. Over the years, tens of thousands of accidents have been recorded. These have caused simple to grave injuries to some, and death to others. Time and again, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has come up with many programs that are made to promote road safety and prevent such instances of from happening.

Bad case of a hit-and-run
However, there is one reported car crash incident that will make all the other seem normal. An unnamed pedestrian was walking along the road when the Mazda 626 car, driven by a 49-year-old James John Onak. The very strong impact of the crash had caused one le fog the victims to be left on the road where he was struck. What’s more gruesome is that the body of the victim remained in the car’s windshield and the passenger seat.

Ending car accidents is everybody’s job
The government for its part has been doing everything that they can to help ensure that accidents are prevented. That is why the Department of Transportation and the NHTSA has made a plea to millions of American drivers and car owners to help ensure that accidents like these won’t happen again. The authorities pointed out, that car owners should always follow the many traffic laws implemented across the country. Also drivers must make sure that they keep their vehicles in top shape by doing the necessary repairs and preventive maintenance jobs in it to keep it safe to drive. Finally, a driver should exercise defensive and safe driving all the time.

What should victims of car accidents do?
Just like what happened to the victim of the car accident mentioned earlier, thousands of people get hurt, injured, and die because of these accidents. In such cases victims of the families left behind by the victims can file for personal injury and wrongful death claims against the drivers of the vehicle that caused the accident. A Los Angeles auto accident attorney says that victims must prepare and file the necessary complaint to the proper courts.

A Los Angeles lawyer believes that stopping hit-and-run incidents is everybody’s responsibility. From the driver behind the wheel of the car, to the law enforcers, and even simple pedestrians; everybody who’s using or have used roads should work together and do their share to achieve road safety. Through this, he believes that justice can be served for the victims of injuries and deaths brought about by hit-and-runs.