Tougher Penalties For High Speed Chases

We've showed you the dangerous aftermath of high speed car chases time and time again.
"It seems like once a month we have a serious high speed chase where property is destroyed and several injuries and some deaths,"said State Senator Rusty Glover (R).

Running from the law in Alabama is only a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 6 months in jail and a 500 dollar fine. Equivalent to what some would call a slap on the wrist.
"Right now many people that perpetrate these crimes they know it's not a criminal offense and it will be a light penalty so it's almost an incentive for them to do it right now,"Said Glover.

But with the passage of a bill to increase the penalties for fleeing from police, Glover hopes perpetrators will think twice.
"If they know it's an illegal act it's a criminal act they may not do this and maybe will have a lot safer highways and a lot of these bad accidents and deaths with innocent people on the roads might be curtailed."

The bill will impose up to 1 year in prison for all offenders. Governor Bob Riley signed the bill earlier today. It will go into effect in about 90 days.