Court Opinion

ID: 9605442
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 02:36:48.522562+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:02:27.847891
License: Public Domain

Sears, Justice,
concurring.
I agree with the majority opinion, and therefore concur in the judgment. I write, however, to emphasize that this case illustrates the danger created by a statute that prohibits the removal of vehicles involved in traffic accidents when there is personal injury, death, or extensive property damage. Before motorists may move their vehicles to places of safety under such a statute, they must determine whether there has been any extensive property damage to their vehi*113cles or other vehicles, as well as whether anyone in their vehicles or other vehicles has died or been injured. This burden is a nearly impossible one on a busy interstate or multilane highway, especially when there is a likelihood that the vehicles could come to rest a substantial distance from each other. The statute also effectively places more value on investigating and reconstructing accidents than on protecting the lives of motorists who will be approaching the accident scene. Tragedies that have occurred in an initial accident should not be compounded by tragedies that will result from failing to move the vehicles as quickly as possible. I therefore urge the General Assembly to enact a statute that requires motorists who have been involved in a traffic accident, regardless of the extent of the bodily injury or property damage, to remove their vehicles to a safe place whenever their vehicles are in operating condition and the removal can be accomplished safely.
I am authorized to state that Presiding Justice Fletcher joins in this concurrence.