A new public alert system plans to utilize familiar technology to help track down hit-and-run drivers on California’s roadways.
The so-called “Yellow Alert” system is part of Assembly Bill 8, which was signed by California Governor Jerry Brown on Monday. As a result of other fatal hit-and-runs statewide, the bill allows law enforcement agencies to issue a public alert if a person has been killed or seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident.
Just as the statewide Amber Alert system uses highway signs and sends text alerts to cell phones to help find missing children, similar technology will be used to help find drivers who flee the scene of a crash.
In San Diego, hit-and-run drivers have killed several victims this year alone, including Craig Robinson’s brother, Roger.
“I have my moments,” said Robinson, referring to the pain of losing his brother, which never really goes away. “I think about him a lot.”
Although it’s hard to say whether a state Yellow Alert system would have helped find the driver who killed Robinson’s brother, he says the system may help in future cases.
“I just couldn’t believe the number of [hit-and-run] stories outside of Roger’s that you hear about,” Robinson told NBC 7. “Why is this happening?”
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Last week, Robinson’s brother collapsed while walking across the street in San Diego’s Park West area. A vehicle hit him and the driver did not stop.
Robinson is still shocked that the driver didn’t pull over to help his brother.
“The problem was, you took off. You shouldn’t have done that,” he said.
In order for a Yellow Alert to be effectively issued in a hit-and-run crash, agencies would need specific information about the suspect or suspect vehicle. The alert would be activated within a specific, approved, area – presumably near the area where the accident happened.
“I think it’s a very cool tool,” Robinson said of the Yellow Alert. “I mean, we have the Amber Alert.”
A California Highway Patrol spokesperson tells NBC 7 that while the Yellow Alert system may seem like a good tool, these cases will still be extremely hard to solve. The spokesperson said, in most cases, there is very little information to go on after an accident. Often times, investigators don’t have a vehicle description or a license plate number to tie to the crime.
Also, even if the suspect vehicle is found, proving who drove the car at the time of the hit-and-run is another big challenge.
Still, state officials believe the new system will make our streets safer. Robinson hopes so too.
“If you can get somebody to say, ‘I just saw the car, or it looks like the car,’ police can get on it,” he added.
In addition to freeway signs, alerts via this new system may also be seen on television or heard on the radio. The bill is expected to go into effect Jan. 1, 2016.
