June 4, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Hit-and-Run Bill Picks Up Support from Santa Monica

hit-and-run
A state bill adding another layer of penalties for hit-and-run collisions was supported by the Santa Monica City Council. (Thinkstock)

A hit-and-run might be a perfectly strategic and timely play in baseball. Yet, when it comes to automobiles, hit-and-runs are not only a major negative but, apparently in California, a serious enough issue where Sacramento has to intervene. In the Assembly, state legislators are deliberating over a bill that would penalize someone at-fault in a non-injury hit-and-run situation. The Santa Monica City Council unanimously voted on June 24 to support that bill.

Assembly Bill 1532 (AB 1532) would create a penalty for a driver who strikes a person and flees the scene without stopping, even if the person struck is not injured.

Under the proposed bill, a driver who is caught and found guilty of a non-injury hit-and-run case would lose his or her license for six months and have a misdemeanor on their respective record.

According to City staff, AB 1532 aims “to decrease the number of hit-and-run incidents … and require at minimum that drivers stop and assess the damages.”

Under current California law, a person responsible for hit-and-run would be held liable in one of three instances: when the hit-and-run results in injury, property damage, or death.

AB 1532 would generally be relevant when a driver flees the scene after striking a passenger or bicyclist but does not injure them.

“The … author [of] AB 1532 clearly sends the message that a driver should always stop upon striking another person with a vehicle,” City staff stated in its report to council members. “The Bill’s authors seek to decrease the number of hit-and-run incidents through legislation, requiring at a minimum that drivers stop and assess the damages, and cites a high number of hit-and-run incidents recently reported in the City of Los Angeles.”

Assemblyman Michael Gatto introduced the bill in Sacramento; Assemblyman Richard Bloom was one of the co-authors. The cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco have also voted to support AB 1532.

The bill arrived in the State Senate in May after earning enough votes in the Assembly. Earlier this week, AB 1532 was in the State Senate’s transportation and housing committee, where all 11 members voted to advance the bill to the appropriations committee.

State Senators will soon vote on AB 1532 before sending it back to the committee process. Afterwards, a second vote on the State Senate floor will take place. If the bill survives the three remaining hurdles, it would officially be adopted by the legislature and head to Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk for his signature.

Council members approved its support of AB 1532 as part of its Consent Calendar on June 24. All seven council members were present for the vote; Council member Gleam Davis attended the meeting via telephone.

Follow Parimal M. Rohit on Twitter: @ParimalRohit

Related Posts

(Video) Some of the Damage Caused By Vandals at Malibu High School Overnight

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

40 to 50 people, who are suspected to be students or recent alumni, used eggs, flour, and markers to deface...

Biggest Night of the Year: Don’t Miss GMCLA’s ‘Dancing Queens’

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Culminating its 46th season, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles will grace the crowd with Dancing Queens, celebrating iconic...

Driver Arrested for Suspected DUI After Rollover Crash in West Los Angeles

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

One Person Hospitalized, Light Pole Smashed After Late-Night Collision One driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI, and another person...

Pluto TV and Oscar-Winning Director Sean Baker Team Up to Host Free Weekend Screenings

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Popcorn Challenge Interactive Event Set for Westfield Century City Mall  The historic Gardena Cinema, one of the last single-screen, family-operated...

Former ‘Real Housewives’ Husband Sentenced to Over 7 Years for $15 Million Client Fraud 

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Federal Judge Rejects Plea for Medical Placement, Orders Restitution and Prison Time Disgraced former attorney Tom Girardi was sentenced Tuesday...

Malibu High Targeted in Overnight Vandalism Spree; Investigation Underway

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Destruction on Campus Prompts Sheriff’s Probe; Students May Face Charges Vandals caused extensive damage to the school property of Malibu...

A Season of Gratitude: After One Year in Business, Urban Jungle Continues Making its Mark

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Over the last year, Urban Jungle, an indoor and tropical plants nursery, has continued its mission to cultivate a place...

The soul’s greatest hits

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

From ‘Ave Maria’ to ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ and ‘Ode to Joy,” a Santa Monica concert raising funds to help fire victims...

LAPD Increases Security at Jewish Sites Following Colorado Flamethrower Attack

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Officials Ramp Up Patrols and Plan Emergency Response as Shavuot Concludes. Security outside Jewish institutions in Los Angeles has been...

The Peabody Awards Celebrate Bold Storytelling and Social Impact at Beverly Hills Gala

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Honorees Including Baby Reindeer, Shōgun, and The Only Doctor at In-Person Ceremony The Peabody Awards held their awards ceremony Sunday...

Chamber Music Palisades Presents an Afternoon of Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, and More

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Brentwood Hosts Free Classical Concert with LA Philharmonic Greats Chamber Music Palisades will present a free community concert on Saturday,...

Massive Fire Engulfs Auto Shop, Shuts Down 10 Freeway Eastbound Lanes

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Explosions, Thick Smoke, and Downed Power Lines Disrupt Traffic in Palms A fast-moving fire broke out Sunday behind a commercial...

Culver City to Frame Iconic Tree with Landmark Sculpture by Charles Gaines

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Acclaimed Conceptual Artist’s Public Artwork Enters Final Phase Culver City is moving forward with the final phase of an ambitious...

Alpine Floor & Home: A Legacy of Quality Since 1968

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Founded in 1968 with a single location, Alpine Floor & Home began as a humble family business with a clear...

Actress Cameron Diaz Slashes Price on Beverly Crest Estate to $16.5 Million

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Modern Farmhouse in Beverly Crest Returns to Market with Lower Price Tag Cameron Diaz has reduced the asking price of...