We need vehicular manslaughter law

Each year, there are more motorcyclists using the roads, and many motorcyclists are killed, and I believe Illinois lacks effective legislation to provide for the safety of these drivers and riders.

Collisions are caused by a variety of factors, and one, which is a growing concern, is inattention.

I deliberately use the word "collision," as "accident" implies that the occurrence is unavoidable.

But collisions are not inevitable. They are the result of a series of factors that can be broken down and addressed individually.

Inattention when operating a motor vehicle causes unnecessary deaths and presently is inadequately addressed under Illinois law.

While the issue of DUI has been effectively addressed by the legislature, the issue of inattention, which leads to unnecessary deaths of motorcyclists, has not been addressed.

Currently in Illinois, a person who kills someone with a vehicle can only be charged with either a traffic citation (a petty offense), or reckless homicide, which is a class three felony requiring the state's attorney to be able to prove that there was some "intent" on the part of the driver to cause harm to someone else.

We need a vehicular manslaughter law in the state of Illinois to close this huge gap in our legal system.

Motorcyclists deserve the right to use Illinois roads safely. Drivers who kill motorcyclists because "the sun was in their eyes" or they "didn't see them" need to be effectively penalized for their inattention.

Driving is a privilege, not a right, and with that privilege comes the responsibility to be alert and in control of your vehicle at every moment.

If drivers are distracted, talking on the phone, eating or drinking, etc., to the extent that they cannot see a motorcycle with headlights and taillights, how can they see a pedestrian, bicyclist or a child?

Nancy Schneck

Hanover Park