Washington Officials Propose 'Stupid Motorist Law' to Address Repeated Bridge Strikes

Washington state has experienced a series of bridge strikes involving semi trucks, notably the recent demolition of the I-90 Bullfrog overpass near Cle Elum after a semi carrying an oversized load caused extensive damage. Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency to expedite repairs and access federal funding, but rebuilding will take time. King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn is advocating for a "Stupid Motorist Law" to hold drivers accountable for such incidents, emphasizing the serious economic harm and taxpayer burden these crashes cause. Dunn has called for stronger penalties, including steeper fines for over-height violations and repeat offenders, and has urged the Washington State Department of Transportation to study the root causes of these crashes. He praises the prompt responses from state leadership in reopening damaged bridges and pushes for enhanced infrastructure protections like better signage and detection systems. These measures aim to prevent further economic disruption, public safety risks, and infrastructure damage from recurring bridge strikes involving commercial vehicles.