Designating February as Hit-and-Run Awareness Month for a 10-year period beginning in 2019.
The adoption of HCR36 would not result in direct changes to existing laws but serves a vital role in fostering a culture of safety on the roads. Through increased public awareness, the resolution seeks to diminish the incidence of hit-and-run accidents, thereby potentially reducing fatalities and injuries. As this initiative builds support for affected families and advocates for tougher penalties on offenders, it highlights the state's commitment to addressing a critical public safety issue. The campaign initiated by Josey Lynn Scott's family represents a poignant example of community engagement and advocacy that HCR36 seeks to amplify.
HCR36 is a concurrent resolution that designates February as Hit-and-Run Awareness Month in Texas for a duration of ten years, beginning in 2019. This resolution aims to bring attention to the significant dangers posed by hit-and-run accidents, as well as the tragic consequences that can arise from such incidents. The resolution underscores the average of 682,000 hit-and-run incidents reported annually in the United States, highlighting Texas' position as the eighth state with the highest number of these accidents. By establishing this awareness month, the legislature aims to foster greater public consciousness about the issue and to encourage safer roadway practices among all Texans.
The resolution serves to formalize the efforts to draw attention to hit-and-run accidents but does not propose specific legislative changes or controversial provisions. However, the bill may underline the ongoing discussions around the need for stricter penalties for drivers who flee the scene of accidents. While many lawmakers support this resolution, any future legislative proposals resulting from this awareness campaign could spark debates regarding the appropriateness of increased sanctions on offenders and the implications for law enforcement resources.