CA Senate Joint Informational Hearing on California’s DUI and Traffic Safety Laws
SACRAMENTO, CA — California State Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose), Chair of the California State Senate Transportation Committee, will convene a joint informational hearing with California State Senator Jesse Arreguin (D-Oakland), Chair of the California State Senate Public Safety Committee, to examine the effectiveness of California’s DUI and traffic safety laws and identify opportunities to improve roadway safety.
The hearing comes amid growing concern about traffic fatalities and dangerous driving across the state, highlighted by the investigative series “License to Kill” by CalMatters. The reporting found that California has seen a sharp increase in roadway deaths and that drivers with extensive histories of reckless behavior, including DUIs, are often allowed to keep their licenses and continue driving.
The joint hearing will bring together policymakers, public safety experts, advocates, and stakeholders to discuss current laws, enforcement practices, and potential policy reforms aimed at preventing impaired driving and improving traffic safety across California.
WHAT: Joint Informational Hearing — Examining California’s DUI and Traffic Safety Laws
WHO:
- Senator Dave Cortese, Chair, California State Senate Transportation Committee and Members
- Senator Jesse Arreguin, Chair, California State Public Safety
- Members of the California State Senate Public Safety Committee
- Thomas Nosewicz, Legal Director, Committee on Revision of the Penal Code
- Stephanie Dougherty, Director, California Office of Traffic Safety
- Julia B. Griswold, PhD, Director of UC Berkeley SafeTREC
- Steve Gordon, Director, California Department of Motor Vehicles
- Honorable Lisa Rodriguez, San Diego County Superior Court
- Tye Meeks, Special Representative to the Legislature, California Highway Patrol
- Larry Gonzalez, City of Riverside, Chief of Police
- Tara Repka Flores, MADD National Ambassador
- Allison Haley, Napa County District Attorney
- Ellen McDonnell, Contra Costa County Public Defender
WHEN: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 1:30 PM
WHERE: 1021 O Street, Room 120, Sacramento, CA
WHY:
Investigations have found that systemic gaps in enforcement, reporting, and driver license oversight have allowed repeat dangerous drivers to remain on the road, contributing to preventable deaths and injuries.
The hearing will examine current state policies related to DUI enforcement, driver licensing, and traffic safety, and explore legislative and policy solutions to better protect Californians on the road.
Senator Dave Cortese represents Senate District 15, which encompasses San Jose and much of Santa Clara County in the heart of Silicon Valley. Visit Senator Cortese’s website: https://sd15.senate.ca.gov
###