WASHINGTON — The DC Council is one step closer to overhauling the way dangerous drivers are held accountable - changes inspired by a deadly crash on Rock Creek Parkway last year involving a woman who was allowed to keep her license despite multiple DUI arrests.
Prosecutors say the woman who caused the crash, Nakita Walker, was speeding and driving under the influence despite three prior DUI convictions, dozens of speeding tickets and $12,000 in unpaid fines.
"What we found in oversight was that the courts and the DMV were not communicating about people who had DUIs to get them off the roads," said Councilmember Charles Allen.
"Our traffic enforcement system does not work today. It needs significant changes. And that's what this legislation does. It's going to be a new day," he said.
This week, the Council unanimously passed Allen's STEER Act - a legislative overhaul of D.C. traffic laws.
The bill would close the loopholes that allowed Walker to keep her license.
It would also grant the District the authority to boot and tow the cars of speeding drivers under a new point system for violations.
And the bill would protect victims of car theft from getting driving tickets for their stolen cars.
The STEER Act would also give the D.C. attorney general more authority to sue dangerous drivers in civil court.
Allen says of all the speeding tickets issued in D.C. only 10% go to D.C. vehicles while the rest are from other states where D.C. has no reciprocity with those jurisdictions.
"A new part of this legislation is going to give our D.C. attorney general the ability to go after that type of vehicle in civil court," Allen said. "We will have consequences, meaningful consequences now when you are a dangerous driver on our streets."
This bill would also create a first-ever forgiveness program that would allow drivers to wipe out $500 in speeding tickets by taking safe driving classes.
The STEER Act needs one more vote from the Council and the mayor's signature to become law.
As for Walker who was charged with second-degree murder for the Rock Creek Parkway crash, she is still behind bars waiting for her next day in court next month.