Originally Posted by
mconlonx
What's the politically feasible alternative to this proposed law? (Note: changing society, human nature, or structure of gov't is not "politically feasible"; I'm talking wording for a law which would make it a graver offense for leaving someone dead or dying on the side of the road in a hit and run situation, than calling it in and waiting at the scene even if under the influence of drugs or alcohol.)
As I said, unintended consequences. One such possible consequence is a reluctance on the part of jurors to convict for what they believe to be an 'excusable offence'... Juries can and will ignore the law--jury nullification.
The problem is that you can't fix such problems by writing new laws. Which would you rather have a criminal conviction even with a minimal sentence or a finding of not guilty. The former certainly bolsters the case for any civil damages, which is where our society intended such concerns to be handled.