Just an aside to the post before this about restitution in the Alan Bear case: The California Bicycle Coalition is looking to sponsor legislation this year that would, according to the CBC's newsletter:

enhance the penalties for careless drivers who injure or kill bicyclists, pedestrians, runners, highway workers, farm equipment operators and other vulnerable road users.

The bill would be patterned after an Oregon law, says the newsletter.

CBC's bill seeks to impose more appropriate penalties for offenses that typically result in either a traffic ticket or a manslaughter charge. Penalties in Oregon include a mandatory court appearance and, for drivers found guilty, traffic school, community service, a fine of up to $12,500 and a one-year suspension of driving privileges.