LOS ANGELES, March 14 (UPI) -- A California lawmaker is drafting legislation to cut down on the number of car chases in the state.
With thousands of chases each year and many ending in death and injuries to bystanders and property damage, Sen. Sam Aanestad, R-Nevada City, is trying to work with police in putting together a bill, the Christian Science Monitor reported Monday.
Current law allows for law enforcement personnel to have immunity in damages and liabilities associated with chases, which some lawmakers said needs to be addressed.
A police group's lobbyist told the monitor another way to cut chases would be to increase penalties for people who run away from police.
Statistics provided by the state show there were 7,171 high-speed chases in California in 2003, and an average of one chase-related fatality per week.
But recent changes in law enforcement policy -- such as Los Angeles' limiting chases for minor traffic offenses -- have led to drops in injuries to bystanders and police.
