A bill defining a clear speed threshold for reckless driving has taken a significant step forward in the Washington State Legislature. Under the proposed change, drivers who exceed the posted limit by 30 miles per hour or more could face the same serious consequences as traditional reckless driving offenses, including potential jail time and license suspension.

The legislation, Senate Bill 5238, passed the state Senate by an overwhelming margin—47 to 2—and is now under consideration in the House. If passed and signed into law, it would specify that traveling at least 30 mph over the speed limit constitutes reckless driving, currently defined under state law as operating a vehicle with willful or wanton disregard for safety. Reckless driving in Washington is a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a maximum fine of $5,000, with a minimum 30-day license suspension upon conviction. KIRO‑TV and The Olympian report.

Currently, Washington law defines reckless driving without any fixed speed threshold; it relies on subjective assessments of a driver’s behavior. This bill aims to provide clearer guidance for both officers and the courts and could help streamline enforcement in cases of excessive speeding. The Olympian and KIRO‑TV.

Supporters argue the lack of a defined threshold makes enforcement inconsistent and leaves the public vulnerable to dangerous drivers who clearly meet a recklessness standard but escape criminal consequences. Opponents raise concerns that the 30 mph threshold may be too high to capture many dangerous speeding incidents, although no such public critiques were linked to local concerns in Cowlitz County.

Why this matters locally: Excessive speeding is a critical public safety issue on our highways—particularly Interstate 5, U.S. Route 4, and other arterial roads that serve Longview, Kelso, and greater Cowlitz County. Having a statutory benchmark that directly ties reckless driving charges to speed violations over a defined threshold could strengthen enforcement tools available to local law enforcement and prosecutors. It may also serve as a deterrent by clearly signaling the severity associated with extreme speeding.

As the bill moves to the House, community members and local officials may consider offering input during public hearings or committee proceedings. Aligning this legislative momentum with regional traffic safety goals—including support for Vision Zero–aligned efforts—could reaffirm the importance of protecting roadway users in Southwest Washington.

Reporting note: Details regarding penalties for reckless driving are based on RCW 46.61.500, which defines the violation as a gross misdemeanor with up to 364 days in jail, a fine up to $5,000, and a mandatory license suspension of at least 30 days. Wikipedia—RCW 46.61.500 provides a concise summary of the current law.

Sources:
KIRO‑TV: “Washington is one step closer to cracking down on excessive speeding”
The Olympian: “WA bill targeting excessive speeding advances: ‘Risking our lives for the fun of it’”
Wikipedia: separate summary of RCW 46.61.500