Relates to leaving the scene of an incident causing personal injury to another person without reporting

1 Co-sponsor

• William J. Larkin Jr.

BILL NUMBER:S2191

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to leaving the scene of an incident causing personal injury to another person without reporting

Purpose

To remove the knowledge requirement from the vehicle and traffic law section relating to leaving the scene of an accident, where personal injury results.

Summary of provisions

This legislation would amend vehicle and traffic law section 600 to remove from paragraph a of subdivision 2 the language "knowing or having cause to know that personal injury has been caused to another person," inserting "caused personal injury to another person."

Existing law

Section 600 of the vehicle and traffic law currently requires that a person have knowledge of having caused personal injury before imposing certain penalties for leaving the scene of an accident.

Justification

The vehicle and traffic law already requires a driver to stop at the scene of an accident, whether or not personal injury has resulted. Operating a vehicle in New York State is a privilege, not a right; it is reasonable to expect drivers to stop at the scene of an accident, and to investigate whether the accident has in fact caused personal injury.

Legislative history

S.2634 of 2009-10, Referred to Transportation S.93 of 2007-08, Passed Senate S.6577 of 2005-06, Passed Senate

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

The first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.