In a press conference recently at H. Frank Carey High School, in Franklin Square, Assemblyman Tom Alfano, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD), Nassau County Superior Officers Association, board of education members and civic leaders rallied for the Hit, Run and Hide Prevention Act. Alfano, MADD and SADD are teaming together on this measure and other MADD legislative priorities.

The Hit, Run and Hide Prevention act is aimed at closing a loophole in the motor vehicle and traffic law. Drivers involved in fatal crashes have been able to get off with a lighter sentence by leaving the scene of the crime, due to the difficulty of proving a DWI by the time of apprehension by police authorities. The bill is being sponsored in the state assembly by Assemblyman Jim Hayes of Amherst and Senator Mary Lou Rath. Alfano, is co-sponsor of the measure and is a member of the powerful assembly codes committee where the bill will be considered. Alfano is the most senior member of the codes committee from Nassau County.

"By leaving the scene of a crash, a drunk driver is able to effectively reduce his or her sentence by the very fact that they wouldn't have been tested for increased blood alcohol content," said Assemblyman Alfano adding "this bill will increase the penalty and send a strong message that you can run from an accident but you'll suffer much harsher consequences."

Currently, an individual might be better off fleeing the scene of an accident if they are drunk at the time of the incident to avoid a DWI charge. For example, an intoxicated driver who stays at the scene of a fatal crash would likely be charged with vehicular manslaughter, a class D felony. However, if the same driver leaves the scene of the crash, it is likely that he or she can only be charged with leaving the scene of a fatal incident, a class E felony. The greater the length of time that passes between the accident and locating the driver, the greater the difficulty of proving the crime of vehicular manslaughter. Consequently, investigators can be hampered in their investigation when a driver abandons the scene of an accident.

Marge Lee, public policy liaison for MADD New York State, stated "I want to thank Assemblyman Alfano for having this press conference today and co-sponsoring this bill. The Hit, Run and Hide Prevention Act is a positive step forward in closing a loophole concerning alcohol-related crashes. Today, is my son's birthday and he would have been 35 years old if he hadn't been killed by a drunk driver. As a Franklin Square resident, and MADD activist I want to see drunk driving laws in New York State made stronger to prevent other families like mine from being impacted by the crime of drunk driving."

"Marge Lee is a leader in our state on drunk driving issues," said Assemblyman Alfano noting "she, more than any other person I know, understand the horror of losing a loved one from a drunk driver. Today is an especially meaningful one for her as it is her son's birthday - a son who was taken from her by a drunk driver. The passage of the Hit, Run and Hide Prevention act and other MADD priorities would be a lasting tribute to her life's work."

Nassau County Police Fifth Precinct Inspector William McHale stated "the motorist who flees the scene of an auto accident often endangers the public, increases insurance costs to the community and causes the expenditure of limited law enforcement resources. The proposed bill increasing the penalties of violation 600 of the vehicle and traffic law establishes clear warning to those who would endanger our community by their thoughtless actions."

Lea Cohen, president of the H. Frank Carey High School SADD committee stated, "Drunk driving is a problem that can affect any one of us at any time. By passing this bill it will not only deter those from driving drunk, but will also make them responsible for their actions. Our SADD chapter greatly thanks Assemblyman Alfano for his concern and efforts to protect students as well as everyone in our community."

Valerie Clerico, trustee, Valley Stream Central High School District Board of Education said "as a member of the board of education, I'm very pleased to see SADD, MADD and Assemblyman Alfano working together to strengthen drunk driving laws in our community."

Principal Tom Dolan of H. Frank Carey High School, a veteran of education in the Nassau County community said "One of the highest priorities for schools and society at large must be safety. Anything we can do to make our streets more safe is a project that schools should endorse. We owe a debt of gratitude to MADD, SADD and Assemblyman Alfano for sponsoring and initiating this bill."

Louvenia Banks, treasurer of the Parkhurst Civic Association of Elmont stated "Life is our most precious gift. That's why we support Assemblyman Alfano's efforts to establish the appropriate legislation to punish drunk drivers. The punishment for leaving a crash scene should be no less than if one stays and takes responsibility for his or her actions. Perhaps one leaving the scene should be punished more."

Nick Baudo, president of the Superior Officers Association of the Nassau County Police said, "This bill goes a long way in sending a message to hit and run drivers that law enforcement will apprehend you and you will pay the price. We are very pleased to support Assemblyman Alfano's legislation and salute MADD and SADD for their leadership on this important issue."

Kim Panettiere, president of the West Hempstead High School Students against Drunk Driving stated "leaving the scene of the crime should be worse than staying. Any legislation that comes closer to giving the deserved penalties is a step in the right direction."

Assemblyman James Hayes (R-Amherst), prime sponsor of the bill with Alfano in the state assembly noted "individuals who turn their backs on their fellow man in a time of need to save their own hide show very little humanity and no heart. Avoiding personal responsibility is not something that should be protected under the law."

Alfano concluded the press conference by thanking MADD, SADD and all press conference participants. "With a group like the one we have here organized, I'm optimistic that we will be able to get movement on this bill in the new legislative session."