By Frosh’s logic why do we have any criminal law what so ever? If you get robbed let the guy go free and take him to court to recover what he stole that should be adequate deterrent to prevent him from doing that again right? Better yet, for traffic law, let at fault drivers go free and make the insurance carrier pay for the damages. What’s the worst that’s going to happen, really high insurance rates for everyone?
Guess what we are already there at the 2nd highest car insurance rate https://www.insweb.com/auto-insurance/state-rates.html
You could save 50% or more on your car insurance by having safer drivers on Maryland’s roads.
The good news is Frosh has been trying to keep insurance down by fighting bills for comparative negligence. The bad news is this "savings" is born on the backs of bicyclists and pedestrians that have been bared from recovering any damages by at fault drives.
From a local law firm blog:
"Laws in the Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia are all slightly different when it comes to negligence. Some jurisdictions state [Frosh’s County has a reputation for being the strongest on enforcing the following] that if a cyclists is found just 1% negligent in an accident case, that they will be prevented from seeking damages."
***
The status quo is not working!
Yet when it comes down to distracted driving with a cell phone that causes a crash, apparently Frosh thinks a $40 fine is enough of deterrent and has voted down HB 222 (Use of Wireless Communication Device – Prohibited Acts, Enforcement, and Penalties)
The pattern is becoming clear, Frosh is a friend of careless, distracted and reckless drivers and thinks all Marylanders want to see more of these on the road, not less.
Even more disturbing are his comments about HB 363 (Manslaughter by Vehicle or Vessel – Criminal Negligence) do we really have a Chairman of Judicial Proceedings that is so ignorant of legalese? All his comments have been addressed but he insists on twisting words to make the law out to something that it is not.
Whoever is going to run against Frosh next election please let us know!
.
The Lawyer Blog:
https://www.dcinjurylawjournal.com/2011/04/articles/accident-1/winner-of-washington-dcs-cherry-blossom-ten-miler-dies-in-bicycle-accident/
(Not an endorsement, just something I found on the net.)
HB 222 Use of Wireless Communication Device – Prohibited Acts, Enforcement, and Penalties
Text: https://mlis.state.md.us/2011rs/bills/hb/hb0222t.pdf (Note: [square brackets = deleted text] AND ALL CAP IS TEXT THAT IS ADDED.)
The committee vote: https://mlis.state.md.us/2011rs/votes_comm/hb0222_jpr.pdf (James Brochin voted no too???!!!)
oldId.20110406081744283
Biking in Baltimore