Vehicular Homicide Penalties Less Than the Cost of a New iPhone. 

Vehicular Homicide Penalties Less Than the Cost of a New iPhone. 

Started
December 27, 2021
Signatures: 1,621Next Goal: 2,500
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Why this petition matters

Started by Sarah Paul Moore

We are still working to get the attention of the legislature. The Georgia Gov. (or his office) gets an email every time we get a new signature. Apparently 1600 emails isn't enough - yet. The person responsible has been sentenced - 1 day in jail and $1000 fine. Read my victim impact statement here.  Keep sharing! 

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Andrew was killed on November 20, 2021. He was 20 years old. He loved riding his motorcycle, building computers, traveling, and eating at Sweet Hut. Andy was a smart kid who was meant to change the world. Andy was driving 43 MPH when a person driving an SUV made a left hand turn in front of him. He tried to stop, there simply wasn't enough time. He died from the impact. 

The person responsible was charged with second degree vehicular homicide. A violation that carries a penalty of MAYBE 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine. The crime of taking Andy's life carries the same penalty as if they had killed a dog. I love dogs; don't get me wrong, but my brother was not a dog. He was a 20 year old kid, with dreams, aspirations, and contributions yet to be fulfilled to the world.

Our family is asking Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to influence the legislature to pass a new law, Andy's Law, and enforce stiffer penalties for vehicular homicide cases when cyclists are involved. Riding his motorcycle should not have been punishable by death. The negative impacts for violating minor traffic laws, failure to yield in Andy's case, are greatly increased when a cyclist is involved, the penalty for Vehicular Homicide (second degree) should reflect the seriousness of taking human life.

EDIT: We are also adding to our "ask" the legislature consider banning left-hand turns at major intersections in Georgia. 61% of all traffic accidents happen at a left-hand turn, including Andy's. Large cities like San Francisco and Salt Lake City have already taken such precaution to protect motorists.

See what Popular Mechanics have said about the science: https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a36620755/eliminate-left-turns/ 

Georgia only penalizes those who take a person's life in the most extreme of cases i.e., DUI or evading law enforcement. States like Colorado and Texas have stiffer penalties for such crimes with 2-6-year minimum sentences. The message Georgia is sending, run over a cyclist….you can get away with it for less than the cost of a new iPhone. 

We ask everyone to consider what they would do if Andy was their son, brother, or friend. 

www.andyslawga.com

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Signatures: 1,621Next Goal: 2,500
Support now
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