OLYMPIA – The House Transportation Committee passed the Andrea Smith Hudson Act out of committee Thursday with strong bipartisan support, clearing the way for debate on the House floor.
Sponsored by Rep. Mari Leavitt, D-University Place, House Bill 1596 would give courts a new tool to impose on a driver whose license is suspended because of repeated speeding violations. The driver can apply for a restricted license allowing them to drive to and from work or other appointments. The driver would be required to install an intelligent speed assistance device (ISA), also called a speed limiter, in their vehicle. The limiter would prevent the vehicle from going more than 10 miles over the speed limit using GPS tracking.
“Reckless speeding has led to far too many injuries and fatalities within our communities,” said Leavitt. “The many families who have experienced these heartbreaking, preventable tragedies are asking lawmakers to do something. I am honored to elevate their voices and push this legislation forward.”
Hundreds of Washingtonians Are Dying from Reckless Driving
From 2023 to 2024 alone, the number of tickets issued for driving more than 50mph above the speed limit has increased by 200 percent, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. Between 2019 and 2023, fatal crashes involving a speeding driver increased by nearly 40 percent. In 2023 alone, excessive speed contributed to 251 fatalities in Washington. Today, speeding remains a leading cause of Washington crashes resulting in fatalities and serious injuries.
The reality is that too many of our loved ones have been killed or injured because people drive recklessly and at extremely high speeds. Loved ones like Andrea Smith Hudson, for whom the bill is named. Hudson was a loving mother, daughter, and sister who loved camping, spending time outdoors, and caring for her family. One tragic day last March, Andrea was picking up her kids along with some other children from their homeschool co-op when she was hit by a car traveling at high speed. Andrea and three of the young ones were killed.
“This intentional behavior weaponizes vehicles, turning them into missiles more dangerous than bullets,” said Ted Smith, Hudson’s father, during public testimony on the bill in January. “We need stiff consequences for these thrill-seekers, and we must use any tools available to detect and stop this from happening again.”
Broad Support for the Andrea Smith Hudson Act
Reporting indicates as many as 75% of Washington drivers with a suspended license continue to drive anyway. This bill provides a way, when imposed, for people to get to work, medical appointments, and take their children to school, while keeping the public safe.
The Seattle Times Editorial Board said of the bill: “Courts and law enforcement in Washington should be afforded access to technology that can help reduce speeding and thus save lives. HB 1596 would do just that.”
The bill has also received support from the National Transportation Safety Board, and Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, and many worker groups who are out on the road.
Follow the bill’s progress here. Read Rep. Leavitt’s Op-Ed here. Learn more about Andrea Smith Hudson here.
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