NEWS: Sen. Ron Muzzall’s bill cracking down on reckless driving moves forward in Senate
State Senator Ron Muzzall (R-Oak Harbor) posted this to the news section of his legislative website on 2026-02-03 10:55:39
OLYMPIA — Legislation sponsored by Sen. Ron Muzzall to crack down on reckless driving and make Washington roads safer continues to advance through the legislative process, and was highlighted in the governor’s State of the State address.
Senate Bill 5890 would expand negligent driving in the first degree to include cases where a driver is speeding more than 30 miles per hour over the posted limit and endangers people or property. A first offense would be a misdemeanor, with repeat offenses elevated to a gross misdemeanor.
The bill passed out of the Senate Law and Justice Committee last week and is now in the Senate Rules Committee, the last stop before it comes to the Senate Floor.
“When someone is driving 30 miles an hour over the speed limit and putting lives at risk, that’s not a mistake, that’s dangerous behavior,” Muzzall, R–Oak Harbor, said. “The law should reflect that.”
In his State of the State address, Governor Ferguson singled out the bill as a priority public-safety measure, telling lawmakers:
“I share your interest in making our roads safer by expanding the definition of reckless driving. Let me know how I can help get that legislation to my desk for signature.”
Muzzall said the governor’s support underscores the urgency of moving the bill forward as key legislative deadlines approach.
“I’m glad to have the governor’s support and to see the bill moving through the process,” Muzzall continued. “But support only matters if we finish the job.”
According to public testimony on the bill, nearly one in three traffic fatalities in Washington involves excessive speed. Safety experts note that crash severity increases exponentially with speed, overwhelming vehicle safety systems and leaving little margin for error.
“This isn’t about hammering everyday drivers,” Muzzall noted. “It’s about drawing a clear line when extreme speeding turns a vehicle into a weapon. We owe it to families to take that seriously.”
Policy committee cutoff is Feb. 4, with fiscal committee cutoff on Feb. 9 and the Senate’s house-of-origin deadline on Feb. 17.
“I’m focused on getting this bill across the finish line,” Muzzall said. “Safer roads shouldn’t be controversial.”
The 60-day 2026 legislative session began Monday, Jan. 12, and will conclude March 12.
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