Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s legislation to increase penalties for those who flee the scene of an accident cleared another legislative hurdle today, passing the Assembly Transportation Committee by a vote of 13-1.  Gatto’s bill, AB 1532, would expand hit-and-run penalties to include automatic license suspension for motorists who flee the scene of any accident involving another person.

“The only way to know if you hurt someone is to stop.  The only way to get someone medical help is to stop,” said Assemblyman Gatto.  “Allowing drivers who don’t stop to keep their license, adds insult to their victim’s injuries.”

Right now, there are few consequences for hit-and-run offenders whose victims are lucky enough to walk away with only minor injuries.  The problem with current law is that it sets the penalty based on how bad the victim’s injuries end up being, and there is no way to know that at the moment of impact.