Washington state legislators are advancing significant changes to traffic law that would make driving more than thirty miles per hour over posted speed limits a form of reckless driving, a gross misdemeanor under state code.

The proposal reflects growing concern among lawmakers and law enforcement about the role of excessive speed in fatal crashes and aims to strengthen deterrence against dangerous driving.

The measure, Senate Bill 5238, passed the state Senate with strong bipartisan support and has moved through the House Community Safety Committee as it awaits a full floor vote.

If enacted, it would formally expand the legal definition of reckless driving to include cases where drivers exceed posted speed limits by more than thirty miles per hour, providing a clear statutory threshold for prosecutors and police.

Under current law, reckless driving requires proof of “willful or wanton disregard for safety,” which can be difficult to establish in court when the sole factor is high speed.

By contrast, the revised standard would allow law enforcement to charge drivers automatically when their speed exceeds the specified threshold, a step supporters say would close a legal gap that has limited accountability for extreme speeding.

Reckless driving in Washington is classified as a gross misdemeanor, carrying potential penalties that include up to three hundred sixty-four days in jail, fines up to five thousand dollars and a mandatory license suspension of at least thirty days.

Advocates of the legislation, including its prime sponsor, state Senator Ron Muzzall, argue that clearer, tougher consequences will help curb a dangerous behaviour linked to about one-third of the state’s fatal collisions.

Law enforcement agencies, including the Washington State Patrol, have expressed support for the reform, noting that officers regularly encounter drivers travelling thirty, forty or even fifty miles per hour over the limit but are constrained by the current statutory framework.

Critics of the bill have raised questions about enforcement discretion and potential impacts on drivers, but the legislation’s progress reflects widespread concern about traffic safety.

As the legislative session continues, the bill must still clear additional deadlines and be signed by the governor before becoming law.

Its advancement marks a noteworthy shift in how Washington intends to address roadway deaths and serious injuries tied to excessive speed.