California Lawmakers Grill DMV Director on Deadly Failures

DMV chief Steve Gordon faced tough questions about the agency's role in allowing dangerous drivers to remain on the roads.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 3:09pm

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In a joint informational hearing, California state senators grilled Department of Motor Vehicles Director Steve Gordon about the agency's failure to adequately address an increase in road deaths in recent years. Lawmakers pressed Gordon on why the DMV rarely investigates crashes that seriously injure or kill people, and why dangerous drivers with long histories of offenses are allowed to keep their licenses. Gordon acknowledged the DMV's driver safety division was not an initial priority when he was appointed in 2019, but said the agency has since begun updating its processes, though 'there's still much more to do.'

Why it matters

The hearing was prompted by CalMatters' 'License to Kill' investigative series, which found that California routinely allows dangerous drivers with horrifying histories to continue driving, leading to preventable deaths on the state's roads. Lawmakers have introduced a dozen road safety bills this session aimed at addressing these issues, and the hearing was an opportunity to press officials on potential solutions.

The details

Senators questioned why the DMV has struggled to provide lawmakers with basic data on its actions against dangerous drivers, and why the agency can move quickly on some issues like road tolls but 'puts up a wall' on potential life-saving measures. DMV Director Gordon said the agency's driver safety division was not an initial priority when he was appointed in 2019, but has since become a focus area, though he acknowledged 'there's still much more to do.' Lawmakers pressed Gordon on specific cases where the DMV failed to act against drivers with long histories of reckless behavior.

  • The joint informational hearing was held on March 10, 2026.
  • The 'License to Kill' investigative series that inspired the hearing was launched nearly a year prior.

The players

Steve Gordon

Director of the California Department of Motor Vehicles, who testified at the hearing.

Dave Cortese

A Democratic state senator from San Jose who cited the 'License to Kill' series as the inspiration for the hearing.

Caroline Menjivar

A Democratic state senator from Van Nuys who questioned why drivers with 15 offenses can keep their licenses.

Catherine Blakespear

A Democratic state senator from Encinitas who questioned why the DMV can move quickly on some issues but 'puts up a wall' on potential life-saving measures.

Jesse Arreguín

A Democratic state senator from Oakland who chairs the Senate Public Safety Committee and focused on a specific case of a driver with a history of reckless driving.

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What they’re saying

“The DMV, when they feel it's important, can act quickly. But then there are these other things that seem to be really stuck in molasses.”

— Catherine Blakespear, State Senator

“We're talking about people's lives. That's what we're trying to protect here.”

— Jesse Arreguín, State Senator

“This isn't Costco. We don't want a system where you can kill one person and kill another person — or more — for free. And that's currently the situation that we have.”

— Allison Haley, Napa District Attorney

“Ignition interlock? Yes. Stronger sentencing? Yes. Accountability for hit and run drivers? Yes. Yes to all of it. Stop other people from getting killed.”

— Tara Repka Flores, Advocate, Mothers Against Drunk Driving

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.