Increases penalties and requires imprisonment for leaving the scene of an incident without reporting

BILL NUMBER:S2719

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to increasing penalties and requiring imprisonment for leaving the scene of an accident

Purpose

The purpose of the bill is to increase penalties fox leaving the scene of an incident without reporting it.

Summary of provisions

Would require any person operating a motor vehi- cle who knowing or having cause to know that damage has been caused to the real property or to the personal property, not including animals, of another, due to an incident involving the motor vehicle operated by such person shall, before leaving the place where the damage occurred, stop, exhibit his or her license and insurance identification card for such vehicle, when such card is required, and give his or her name and resi- dence, including street and number, insurance carrier and insurance Identification information including but not limited to the number and effective dates of said individual's insurance policy, and license number to the party sustaining the damage, or in case the person sustaining the damage is not present at the place where the damage occurred then he or she shall report the same as soon as physically able to the nearest police station, or judicial officer. Violation of provisions shall constitute a traffic infraction class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars and a sentence of imprisonment not less than one year pursuant to subdivision three of section 70.00 of the penal law, in addition to any other penalties provided by law.

Existing law

2010: S.555 - Held in Transportation 2011: S.3620 - Referred to Transportation 2012: S.3620 - Referred to Transportation

Justification

Patrol officers respond continuously to calls of vehicle hit and runs both involving property damage and personal injury. In cases involving property damage there is no real repercussion to the offender who has fled the scene and the complaint report is documented as closed and only documented for insurance purposes. Such law and departmental policy leaves virtually more incentive to flee the scene rather than report for someone who has struck a parked vehicle or other property causing extensive damage or an occupied vehicle with potential personal injury for they will only be summoned if apprehended. This law will make leaving the scene of an accident without reporting it a crime and punishable by fine and imprisonment, hopefully a deterrent to this type of behavior.

Prior legislative history

S.6729 2008 To Committee on Transportation 01/14/08

Fiscal implications

None.

Local fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.