My life changed forever when my son was hit and killed by a 21-year-old man who was test driving a car from a dealership despite having a suspended license. This tragedy could have been prevented if the dealership had conducted a simple driving record check before allowing the test drive.

Every day, car dealerships across the United States hand over keys to prospective buyers without knowing anything about their driving history. This oversight not only puts pedestrians and other drivers at risk but also endangers dealership staff and customers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are over 32,000 traffic fatalities every year in the U.S., and unqualified drivers significantly contribute to this statistic.

Implementing mandatory driving record checks before any test drive could help prevent similar tragedies. Dealerships already have procedures for verifying other customer information, like credit history, so adding a driving record check is a manageable and much-needed step. This simple measure could stop individuals who are unfit to drive from endangering lives on the road.

Many states offer online access to driving records, making the process efficient and straightforward. By advocating for this policy change, we can ensure a safer environment for everyone and hold dealerships accountable for the safety of their test drives.

I urge you to join me in calling on lawmakers and industry leaders to require all car dealerships to perform a driving record check before allowing a customer to take a vehicle out on a test drive. Please sign this petition to honor my son's memory and protect others from future harm.