Originally Posted by FBinNY

Assuming your premise that people want or we need new laws (not sure I do on either point), the problem is that harsh penalties increase the likelihood of a hit and run. One of the laws that people keep forgetting about, and politicians keep violating is the law of unintended consequences.

We need to do everything possible to discourage of texting (I'm less concerned about talking on the phone than many others) while driving, but we have to be careful not to create a more serious problem. Unless hit and run penalties are ramped up first, any increased penalties for accidents are going to push a bubble out in that direction.