SACRAMENTO –Assemblymember Eric Linder’s Assembly Bill 2337, a previously unanimously passed bill, was vetoed by Governor Brown.

AB 2337 would have revoked the driver licenses of convicted hit-and-run drivers from one to two years, increasing the current penalty. There are about 20,000 hit-and-run traffic incidents in Los Angeles each year, and even more throughout the State. If it had been signed, this bill would have helped keep convicted hit-and-run drivers off the streets.

“I’m very disappointed that this important public safety measure was not signed into law. The problem of hit-and-run incidents is at an all-time high and the ability to find and convict hit-and-run motorists has been limited by unavailable resources.” said Linder. “AB 2337 was a cost neutral way to try to curb this epidemic.”

The bill made its way through the legislative process unopposed through four different committees. AB 2337 was not only a bi-partisan measure, but it also had a strong coalition of law enforcement, bicyclists, and victims’ advocates groups in support including; the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC), the Association of Los Angles Deputy Sheriffs, the Riverside Sheriffs Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Sacramento County Deputy Sheriffs Association, Crime Victims United of California, the California State Sheriffs’ Association, the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, California Bicycle Coalition, and many more.

“Under current law, if you are convicted of a hit-and-run collision, your license is revoked for the same amount of time regardless if you knock over a fence, cause serious bodily injury or even death. This is simply wrong. I will continue to work to prioritize highway safety and to support the victims of hit-and-run drivers,” said Linder.

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Assemblymember Eric Linder, R-Corona, is Vice-Chairman of the influential Assembly Committee on Transportation, while also serving on other key policy committees including Appropriations, Higher Education and Jobs, Economic Development & the Economy. Assemblymember Linder represents California’s 60th Assembly District in the California Legislature, which encompasses the cities of Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco and Riverside.