Bold statement: Even in a region praised for safety, Virginia is falling behind while DC and Maryland lead the way. A new Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety report shows DC and Maryland earning the top “green” rating for road-safety laws, with Virginia at a “yellow” rating. DC and Maryland each boast at least eight recommended safety laws on the books, compared with Virginia’s four.
The roadmap highlights laws across several key areas—protecting passengers, preventing impaired driving, and reducing red-light running. Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, notes that while DC and Maryland outperform Virginia, there is still substantial room for improvement in all three jurisdictions.
In Virginia, a strong seat belt law remains a critical gap. Chase emphasizes that seat belt use is the first line of defense in a crash. Even in DC, where overall outcomes appear solid, there are opportunities to strengthen areas such as child passenger safety and teen-driver protections. Chase also points to a sobering statistic from DC: nearly 50 roadway fatalities last year, underscoring how safety gaps persist even in well-regarded jurisdictions.
Beyond safety, the report draws attention to the economic burden of crashes. Virginia faces more than $6 billion in annual crash-related costs, Maryland about $5.91 billion, and DC roughly $832 million. Nationwide, the U.S. Department of Transportation estimates the annual economic impact at about $429 billion, which translates to roughly a $1,258 “crash tax” for every taxpayer.
Among the states reviewed, Missouri ranked worst with zero “optional laws” in place, followed by Wyoming, Montana, and Nebraska. Oregon topped the list with 10 laws, with DC and Washington State close behind at nine.
The report’s cross-jurisdiction recommendations include requiring young drivers to accumulate 70 hours of supervised driving before obtaining a license and introducing nighttime driving restrictions to strengthen teen safety. Chase likens teen driving practice to daily athletic routines—regular, prolonged practice builds skill and confidence behind the wheel just as it does in sports.
Additionally, the DC region faces a recommended policy to require children to ride in the back seat through age 12.
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Mike Murillo is a reporter and anchor at WTOP. He joined WTOP in 2013 after working in radio in Orlando, NYC, and Philadelphia.
