Its being called an epidemic by both victims and lawmakers. For months, we've been telling you about suspended drivers with disregard for the law causing problems on the roads.
In some cases, the crashes are deadly.
In the past week, 2 drivers in Livonia were caught behind the wheel illegally. One with 61 suspensions, the other with 71 suspensions.
- Metro Detroit man who had license suspended 71 times to be arraigned
- Metro Detroit man with license suspended 61 times released from jail
Now, state lawmakers are answering a growing number of calls for change. They tell us our numerous reports have helped raise awareness about the problem, and the urgent need for better laws to be drafted.
Erica Motley, the wife of Roderick Motley has also helped gather support for change.
After her husband Roderick was killed by a suspended driver several months ago, Erica told us "I want people to understand if nothing is changed, there will be more widows. More fatherless children that have to go through life without a role model."
Now, 3 lawmakers from Lansing are getting involved in a major way.
Senator Coleman Young Jr. from Detroit is currently writing legislation that would require fines to be paid right away when a suspended driver is pulled over, otherwise that driver would face a mandatory 30-45 days in jail.
Currently, many drivers who break the law manage to avoid serving 93 days in jail and paying a $500 fine.
"You are talking about life and death here, literally" says Young.
State Senator Mike Kowall from White Lake and Rep. Klint Kesto from Commerce Twp. are also behind a solution.
"My colleague Rep. Pete Lucido from Macomb is working to pass a law that allows the officer to remove a suspended driver's plate, so they can't go down the road," says Kesto.
They tell us their goal is to have new laws passed by the fall.
We'll stay on top of this story to make sure drivers are kept safe and those breaking, the law behind the wheel, are held accountable.
