Commentary on "Texans Will Now Hit-And-Render-Aid"

Fellow blogger Alejandro Atencio wrote a blog entry entitled Texans Will Now Hit-And-Render-Aid where he discusses a Texas Tribune story about a new Texas State law that will become effective September 1, 2013, where the punishment for failing to stop and render aid in a fatal accident will be increased from a third degree to a second degree felony.   He summarizes that the law was the result of a joint bi-partisan effort that stemmed from a recent incident involving a former Austin legislative staff member involved in a fatal hit and run accident who was found guilty, but then acquitted.

I agree with his assessment that this was common sense to change this law. The mother of the victim, Laurie Griffin, in a video portion of the story, expresses how disappointing it was that there were no existing laws that the driver could be charged with. A comment made to her by a detective indicating that the only way to provide justice in the future was to change the law motivated her to lobby to actually get the law changed.  This unfortunate incident empowered her to become involved in the legislative process to change a law that will benefit and comfort future victim’s family members.  It’s also an appropriate lesson to the end of this course that shows how participation in our government can actually affect change.