An ongoing CalMatters investigation examines how the state of California routinely allows dangerous drivers with horrifying histories to continue to operate on our roads. Too often they go on to kill. Many keep driving even after they kill. Some go on to kill again.

The toll is measured in bodies. More than 20,000 people died on the roads of California from 2019 to early 2024. Alcohol-related roadway deaths in California have shot up by more than 50% in the past decade — an increase more than twice as steep as the rest of the country.

Despite the mounting death toll, state leaders have shown little willingness to address the issue.

THE INVESTIGATIONS

Black and white photograph of a roadside memorial of a cross, candle and flowers placed at the base of a stop sign in a rural intersection

License to Kill

Black and white photograph of the tombstone of Joseph R. Ramirez, displaying three images of him set against a background of clouds; the gravestone includes his name and birth and death dates; in front of the marker lie several stones, a bouquet of flowers, and a memorial plaque

They were convicted of killing with their cars. No one told the California DMV

15 DUIs, still driving: California’s failure to take repeat drunk drivers off the road

Two people in suits stand at a podium during a press conference. The person speaking gestures with one hand while the other person stands beside them, listening. The California state seal is visible on the podium, and a blue curtain forms the backdrop.

40,000 people died on California roads. State leaders looked away

A person stands in front of a table with photos, buttons lights, and other items related to victims of drunk drivers. Other people stand by holding large photos of the victims.

How a speeding ticket can be worse than killing someone with your car in California

A person in a black suit stands in the front row of a courtroom while looking directly into the camera on their right side.

After his crash killed a child, the DMV renewed his license – then it hid his records

THE REACTION

A woman in a green shirt and black blazer stands with several men in suits in front of an American flag.

Lawmakers gut major DUI reform through ‘hostile amendments’

A person in a red blazer speaks at a wooden podium inside a government building, with three people standing behind them and large posters reading “STOP DUIs” and “SAVE LIVES” showing traffic cones and flashing lights on either side of the group.

Eight bills related to License to Kill advance in the Legislature

A person in a suit speaks into a microphone during a public hearing or meeting. Several officials sit behind them at a raised dais, listening as the speaker gestures while talking.

‘We’re talking about people’s lives:’ California lawmakers grill DMV director on deadly failures

A person with a beard speaks at a podium holding a photograph, with others standing nearby, flags behind them, and several printed photos displayed in the foreground.

‘It’s time’: California leaders unveil biggest crackdown on drunk drivers in decades

A person in a red blazer speaks at a podium bearing the California State Assembly seal, raising one hand for emphasis, while three others stand behind them between the U.S. and California flags beneath a backdrop of the State Capitol building.

California has a dangerous driver problem. A bipartisan group of lawmakers wants to fix that

On the steps of a building at night, two people hug beside a microphone, while rows of small orange traffic cones and string lights line the stairs, each cone paired with a photo of a person, creating a memorial-like display.

Lawmaker targets repeat drunk drivers as part of larger push to fix problems exposed by CalMatters

Andrew Donohue is the investigative editor at CalMatters. Previously, he served as executive editor of projects at Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting, where he helped lead digital, audio...