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Democratic lawmakers in Washington are continuing their trend of easing penalties for repeat traffic offenders. This time, they are allowing drivers with multiple moving violations, like speeding, to take a safe driving course instead of serving a full 60-day license suspension.

The final vote in the House also underscores another partisan divide over bills that loosen penalties for offenders. All Democrats supported the bills, and all Republicans opposed them.

passed the state House on Monday with a straight party-line vote of 58-39. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Sharon Wylie (D-Vancouver) at the Department of Licensing’s request, is the latest effort by Democratic legislators to shift away from punitive measures in traffic enforcement.

The legislation now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

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How the bill works

Washington law mandates a 60-day driver鈥檚 license suspension for individuals who accumulate three moving violations within a year or four within two years. The suspension is followed by a one-year probation period, during which any additional moving violation results in a 30-day extension.

Under HB 1244, drivers who receive notice of a pending suspension for multiple infractions can complete a DOL-approved safe-driving course to have their suspension terminated early. They must still meet requirements for proof of automobile insurance and pay any necessary licensing fees.

This alternative to suspension would be available only once every five years.

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Democrats argue education over punishment

Supporters of the bill argue that mandatory education will have a longer-lasting impact on driver behavior than simply taking away driving privileges.

鈥淭his is a department request bill that would allow a driver’s training option,鈥� said Rep. Wylie before the House floor vote. 鈥淪omeone who has had a license suspended because of three moving violations within a year can get that license back a little bit earlier if they complete this class.鈥�

Wylie acknowledged concerns over multiple moving violations but noted that many common infractions may not necessarily indicate dangerous driving.

鈥淚s there anybody you can think of that hasn鈥檛 gone 10 over the speed limit? 35 in a 25? I don鈥檛 know of anybody,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hese are the kinds of things that can add up to a pattern of carelessness that could end very, very badly. I鈥檓 all in favor of consequences, but learning the rules of the road thoroughly with the threat of a suspended license, I think, is good training and a good consequence.鈥�

If the bill becomes law, Washington would join 25 other states that already offer similar training-based alternatives to license suspension.

Republicans and critics say public safety is at risk

Opponents of the bill argue that lowering penalties for repeat traffic offenders could put public safety at risk.

鈥淥ver the last several years, we have seen tragic statistics in our state,鈥� said Rep. Andrew Barkis (R-Olympia). 鈥淪tatistics on our highways, of some of the highest fatalities that we鈥檝e seen in decades鈥� there needs to be a deterrent to the behavior that we鈥檙e seeing.鈥�

Barkis emphasized that drivers receive multiple warnings before facing suspension, suggesting that reducing penalties could fail to deter repeat offenders.

鈥淚t takes quite a bit to get a suspended license. It takes many different instances of a violation,鈥� he said. 鈥淢ost of the time when we鈥檙e seeing a suspended license, these are for egregious acts that have been committed鈥攐ne, two, three times鈥攁nd so that license should be suspended.鈥�

Barkis argued that penalties serve an important role in discouraging reckless driving.

鈥淓ducation is important, but so are penalties, so are deterrents,鈥� Barkis said. 鈥淲ith that, I think that it would be best if we work on that deterrent, as opposed to education after the fact.”

If approved by the Senate and signed into law, SHB 1244 will take effect on April 1, 2026.

Matt Markovich is the 成人X站 Newsradio political analyst. Follow him on聽.听