What's happening
This bill increases penalties for leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, specifically elevating certain offenses to felony charges.
Why it matters
Significantly raises the legal consequences for leaving the scene of incidents. The bill upgrades certain offenses from misdemeanors to felonies, meaning individuals convicted under these changes could face harsher sentences and longer-lasting criminal records, which can affect employment, housing, and other opportunities.
Closes previous loopholes and ensures consistency in punishment. By removing the distinction between first-time and repeat offenders for some violations, the law treats all relevant non-reporting cases as felonies, sending a clearer deterrent message to drivers about the seriousness of leaving an incident scene.
Increases financial penalties for severe outcomes. The bill raises the minimum and maximum fines, especially in cases where leaving the scene results in death, which could provide greater justice for victims and their families and create a stronger financial disincentive for offenders.
Reflects a policy shift toward prioritizing accountability and victim protection. The changes show a legislative intent to treat hit-and-run incidents with greater severity, potentially improving public safety by discouraging drivers from fleeing accident scenes.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Make Hit-and-Run a Felony
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
58
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. ROBACH -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to leaving scene of an incident without reporting
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph c of subdivision 2 of section 600 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by section 4 of part AAA of chapter 59 of the laws of 2017, is amended to read as follows:
c. A violation of the provisions of paragraph a of this subdivision resulting solely from the failure of an operator to exhibit his or her license and insurance identification card for the vehicle or exchange the information required in such paragraph shall constitute a class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty nor more than five hundred dollars in addition to any other penalties provided by law. Any subsequent such violation shall constitute a class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than five hundred nor more than one thousand dollars in addition to any other penalties provided by law. Any violation of the provisions of paragraph a of this subdivision, other than for the mere failure of an operator to exhibit his or her license and insurance identification card for such vehicle or exchange the information required in such paragraph, shall constitute [a class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars in addition to any other penalties provided by law. Any such violation committed by a person after such person has previously been convicted of such a violation shall constitute] a class E felony, punishable by a fine of not less than one thousand nor more than two thousand five hundred dollars in addition to any other penalties provided by law. Any violation of the provisions of paragraph a of this subdivision, other than for the mere
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05150-01-9
S. 58 2
failure of an operator to exhibit his or her license and insurance identification card for such vehicle or exchange the information required in such paragraph, where the personal injury involved [(i) results in serious physical injury, as defined in section 10.00 of the penal law, shall constitute a class E felony, punishable by a fine of not less than one thousand nor more than five thousand dollars in addition to any other penalties provided by law, or (ii)] results in death shall constitute a class D felony punishable by a fine of not less than two thousand nor more than five thousand dollars in addition to any other penalties provided by law.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to leaving scene of an incident without reporting
Purpose
Increases the classification of leaving the scene of an accident without reporting from a class A misdemeanor to a class E felony involving a personal injury for a person first offence.
Summary of specific provisions
Amends paragraph c of subdivision 2 of section 600 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by section 4 of part AAA of chapter 59 of the laws'of 2017. To change classification of leaving the scene of an acci- dent without reporting from a class A misdemeanor to a class E felony where personal injury is involved.
Justification
We have increased laws on passing school buses, drinking and driving, other traffic violations and the time has come that we should do that for hit-and-runs. Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious offence no matter what harm is done. We cannot stand by and let the driver of the vehicle in question be charged with a misdemeanor when they cause personal injury. By increasing the penalty to a felony for a first offence and coupling that with public awareness that this is serious, especially if there is personal injury we can hopefully cut down of these situations.
Prior legislative history
2018: New Bill
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
First of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.