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Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Ferguson signs bill to require speed-limiting devices for habitual speeders in Washington
May 12—OLYMPIA — Some of the state's most habitual speeders will soon be required to install speed-limiting devices in their car. Gov. Bob Ferguson signed legislation Monday requiring intelligent speed assistance devices for drivers whose licenses have been suspended due to reckless or excessive speeding starting in 2029. The bill, known as the BEAM Act, is named after the four victims who died in a crash in Renton in March 2024: Andrea Hudson, 38; Boyd Buster Brown, 12; Matilda Wilcoxson, 13; and 12-year-old Eloise Wilcoxson. An 18-year-old driver, who had reportedly been involved in three high-speed collisions within the 11 months before the crash, ran through a stoplight at 118 mph before striking a minivan. The driver, Chase Jones, pleaded guilty to four counts of vehicular homicide and two counts of vehicular assault, and last month, was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison. "What's behind this bill, of course, is just a really simple goal to save lives," Ferguson said Monday. According to bill sponsor Rep. Mari Leavitt, D-University Place, the crash is part of a concerning trend. In 2022, 29% of crash fatalities occurred when at least one of the drivers was speeding. Between 2019 and 2023, fatal crashes involving a speeding driver increased by 40% in Washington, according to Leavitt. Over the same period, speeding tickets for motorists driving more than 50 mph have increased by 200%. According to Leavitt, there were 810 traffic deaths in Washington in that same period, a 9% increase from the prior year, with excessive speed contributing to 251 of the incidents. "This bill's really about saving lives, similar to the ignition interlock program," Leavitt said of the devices that prevent driving under the influence offenders from driving drunk. "The successful ignition interlock program is really patterned for those who are the disproportionate of the folks who are causing fatal crashes and injuries across our state." In March, Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste attributed the increases in traffic infractions to bad behaviors developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when traffic drastically increased. As more drivers returned to the road, some have kept the bad habits they developed. In Washington, a driver can have their license suspended if they receive three or more moving violation infractions within one year or four or more within two years. However, many drivers simply don't comply with the suspension. According to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, an estimated 75% of suspended drivers continue to drive during this period. The legislation, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2029, will require drivers whose license was previously suspended due to reckless or excessive speeding to equip their vehicle with an intelligent speed assistance device. The device operates similarly to the ignition interlock device used by repeat DUI offenders and uses GPS to restrict a driver to the posted speed limit. Similar legislation was recently signed into law in Virginia and is currently under discussion in Georgia and New York, among other states. The bill received broad bipartisan support in both the House and Senate during the legislative session, and Ferguson noted Monday that it was signed into law during the first year it was proposed. "We cannot bring back those we've lost, but we can take meaningful steps to stop this from happening again," Leavitt said in a statement. "This bill sends a clear message: safety on our roads matters, and we will do everything in our power to protect our communities."
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WA legislators hear bill to lengthen sentences for organized retail theft
The Brief WA legislators are hearing House Bill 1276, which would create a new sentencing enhancement for anyone convicted of stealing or possessing a large amount of goods. The bill currently has some bipartisan support, but it still faces some resistance from lawmakers and legal experts. A 2021 Forbes study found Washington was the state most impacted by retail crime. OLYMPIA, Wash. - Some people convicted of organized retail theft could get a longer prison sentence under a proposal making its way through the legislature. Heard in the House Committee on Community Safety Monday afternoon, House Bill 1276 would create a new sentencing enhancement for anyone convicted of stealing or possessing a high value of goods. Twelve months would be added to the sentence of a person guilty of organized retail theft where the property is worth $20,000 or more. If the property has a value of $50,000 or more, 24 months would be added to the sentence. Currently, a person could get up to ten years in prison for organized theft, based on the seriousness of the crime. Dig deeper A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers have signed onto the bill. People who testified in support at Monday's hearing said money made from organized theft funds other criminal activity, often involves a great deal of violence and pointed to a 2021 Forbes study which found Washington was the state most impacted by retail crime. "It impacts our businesses who can't absorb the loss and may have to lay off workers," said prime sponsor State Representative Mari Leavitt (D-University Place). "It impacts our state by having lost tax dollars that could go back into the strength of our economy. And it impacts consumers who may not feel safe as a result, to do their shopping." A representative from the state Sentencing Guidelines Commission testified in opposition, saying existing aggravating factors already allow for stiffer punishments for crimes with a large economic impact or with sophisticated planning. Other opponents say organized theft isn't as large of a problem as retailers say it is, and question the impact of longer sentences. What they're saying "It isn't helpful because we've known for years that sentence length is not a deterrent to crime, neither for the general public or for the person caught," said David Trieweiler with the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. "Yet here we are again, falsely claiming that increasing sentence lengths will deter these crimes and increase public employee safety. It will not." One King County prosecutor testified more resources are needed as they face an increase in all types of cases. Leavitt acknowledged the proposal is just one tool needed to address organized theft. It is currently unclear when the community safety committee could vote on the bill. Albert James is a television reporter covering state government as part of the Murrow News Fellowship program – a collaborative effort between news outlets statewide and Washington State University. The Source Information comes from original reporting by Murrow News fellow Albert James. Politics: WA Senate passes changes to parental rights in education Local: Japan Airlines plane clips tail of Delta plane at Sea-Tac Travel: Here's when you'll need REAL ID to get through US airport security Food: New restaurants coming to Seattle in 2025 To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily Fox Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
