BT, you are correct. But the main reason rich folk have drivers (or cannot drive themselves) is specifically for liability. If they have an accident, and someone is killed, then the floodgates open in a civil trial. The primary way to protect themselves from liability is that they hire a professional driver.
Look. Forget about my 'splainin. Do you think the State Troopers are ignorant of Texas Traffic Law? Do you think they just arrested only the driver because they only had room for one more in jail? C'mon! If there was a criminal statute potentially violated by Rev Al, he'd be in jail. Since there was no wreck, and nobody injured but an affront to the People of Texas through the law, then there is no civil case to be brought, either.
Agree. And double agree with the celebrity types and the liability issues. Even when armed escorts are required, they are usually contracted out. Thus freeing them of the liability.
Good post.
In Los Angeles for instance, in a vehicle pursuit like this one, they conduct a high risk, felony stop tactics, once the vehicle is stopped, and all occupants of the vehicle are ordered out at *gun* point and interviewed to determine what crimes may be involved, or what involvement the passengers may have had in any crimes prior to the pursuit. I am sure you've seen it on television many times.
The only thing I can think of is once they realized sharpton was a passenger they didn't want to push it, due to obvious reasons. But I can tell you, if this happened in LA, all occupants would have been ordered out at gun point and been face down, once the vehicle stopped.
Bottom line is, like you said, the driver is ultimately responsible for operating the vehicle within the law. Period.