Negligent drivers in Washington who cause a serious injury accident with a bicycle or pedestrian may face much stiffer penalties if a proposed Senate bill is passed.  Currently if you hit and serious injury a biker or pedestrian in a Washington bicycle accident all you'll get is a traffic ticket. 

The proposed law increases the penalties dramatically.  Under the proposal if you serious hurt or kill a bicyclists or pedestrian you would still face a $250 fine for negligent driving, but also have to appear in court, complete a traffic-safety course and perform up to 100 hours of community service or avoid those penalties and pay a much larger fine of up to $5,000 and have your driver's license suspended for 90 days.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation more than 66% of fatal bicycle accidents happen in cities.  In Seattle an estimated 4,000 - 8,000 people commute by bicycle to work or school every weekday.