I think it would make a difference, but then again I'm not a lawyer. If this guy was sober, and the boy ran out in traffic and hit him he probably wouldn't be charged with anything.
One of the biggest flamings I've received here at FR was for a thread I posted about 5 girls, all between the ages of 14-16 were killed when they were allowed by one of their fathers to all 5 crowd on a 4 wheeler/ATV, and ride it on a public street. They had a collision with a car and all 5 died.
I took the father to task, and was flamed merclessly.
Well, one of the biggest fights with my now 16 year old daughter I've had was last year. She wanted to go joyriding with her friend who had just gotten her driver's license that day.
It was Friday night, it was raining. I said no.
That night, the friend my daughter wanted to go joyriding with lost control on a slick road and hit a tree, killing herself and another young girl. Had I not took my stand, my daughter would've been in that car.
Sometimes, parents must take responsibility for what happens to their children.