MYNORTHWEST POLITICS

Ferguson signs bill to crack down on speeding drivers

May 12, 2025, 7:00 PM

Speed-limiting bill signed Monday in Olympia....

Governor Bob Ferguson signed a bill designed to crack down on speeding drivers on Monday. (Courtesy TVW)

(Courtesy TVW)

Governor Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 1596 into law Monday, aiming to crack down on speeding drivers.

The new legislation will require speed-limiting devices in vehicles of individuals convicted of dangerous driving.

“What’s behind this bill is of course a really simple goal, which is to save lives,” Gov. Ferguson said. “This legislation was inspired by a crash where four individuals, including three children, were killed when their car was struck by a driver going 112 miles per hour.”

New law targets reckless drivers

The crash in March 2024 in Renton killed Andrea Hudson, 38, Boyd “Buster” Brown, 12, Matilda Wilcoxson, 13, and 12-year-old Eloise Wilcoxson. Two other children were severely injured.

Chase Jones, 19, was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison last month.

“It’s the family members who got us to this day,” said State Rep. Mari Leavitt, the bill’s prime sponsor. “They’re the ones who were willing to share their story over and over and over again.”

Leavitt and those family members were in the room Monday afternoon when Gov. Ferguson signed the bill.

MyNorthwest Politics

executive order safter streets katie wilson...

James Lynch

Mayor Wilson signs executive order to accelerate street safety projects as Seattle falls short on Vision Zero

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson announced a new executive order Friday aimed at making Seattle’s streets safer for everyone.

21 hours ago

Lakewood police...

Manda Factor

City of Lakewood puts police chief on leave

The City of Lakewood has put its police chief on leave.

2 days ago

seattle mayor katie wilson budget deficit billion...

Jillian Raftery

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s ‘impromptu boogie’ with Seattle rapper draws public safety criticism

You may have seen the video on Instagram, originally posted by Seattle rapper Y2K. Wilson stands next to him at a sports field and bobs to his anthemic track "SEA."

2 days ago

seattle traffic...

John Curley Show

‘Too many people are dying’: Seattle Councilmember Rob Saka lays out his proposed safer streets plan

Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka joined "The John Curley Show" on KIRO Newsradio to lay out his proposed Seattle SAFER Streets Act.

2 days ago

permit seattle katie wilson apartments...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘I don’t think this is really political’: Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson orders faster Seattle permitting as apartment reviews stretch past a year

Large apartment projects in Seattle currently spend about 374 days in city-controlled permit review, more than double the city's own 180-day target.

2 days ago

Bite of Seattle shooting mayor katie wilson recall...

Madeline Ottilie, KIRO 7 News

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson responds to recall effort against her as hearing date approaches

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson addressed reporters Wednesday who asked about the recall petition filed against her while speaking about an unrelated executive order.

2 days ago

Ferguson signs bill to crack down on speeding drivers