Friends Committee on Washington State Public Policy A Quaker Organization

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Hit & Run Drivers - Penalties

Co-Chairs O’Brien and Ballasiotes, and Members of the Committee:

The Friends Committee on Washington State Public Policy is interested in cost-effective ways of maintaining and increasing public safety, while doing justice to victims, offenders, and our citizens’ needs for good schools, roads, and other vital public services.

HB 1280 increases the seriousness level of Hit and Run Driving where a death has occurred from Level VIII to Level IX. The penalty arises where a driver involved in a fatal accident fails to stop, identify, or render needed assistance, regardless of whether he or she was actually at fault in the accident.

The obligations of a driver involved in accidents are important ones, and must be enforced, independently of who was to blame for the accident. Currently, violating these obligations is a Class B felony punishable at Level VIII, the same punishment afforded for first degree arson, manufacture or delivery of methamphetamine, or reckless vehicular homicide.

The bill would increase the penalty to Level IX, the same punishment provided for first degree robbery, homicide by controlled substance, or sexual exploitation of a minor. In the event a driver is actually to blame for the accident, that blame is of course punished separately.

We oppose this bill because there does not appear to be any evidence that the proposed increase in penalties would be cost-effective in terms of public safety, particularly given the already high punishment for this crime. There are many demands on our tax dollars. We respectfully suggest that the public would be better served by retaining the existing penalty and by utilizing the costs of extended incarceration in other necessary ways.

Daniel N. Clark
Friends Committee on Washington
State Public Policy
PO Box 1222
Walla Walla, WA 99362

Tel. 509-522-0399, Fax 522-0414
[email protected]