Under a new policy, the district attorney’s office will review all cases when a person walking or biking is injured in a crash and consider charges.
Author: Katie Delaney
Published: 10:36 AM EDT May 28, 2026
Updated: 10:36 AM EDT May 28, 2026
PORTLAND, Maine — The Cumberland County District Attorney introduced a new policy for the office to prosecute more drivers who hit pedestrians and cyclists.
Prosecutors will start considering criminal or civil charges in every car crash that injures or kills someone walking or biking.
This comes after 2025 was the deadliest year on record for people walking and biking in Maine. Twenty-four pedestrians and five cyclists were killed in crashes last year, according to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine.
According to District Attorney Jackie Sartoris, right now state law does require police to send cases of pedestrian and cyclist crashes to the district attorney’s office if there is probable cause for a criminal or civil charge. She said her department has seen very few.
Now every incident will be reviewed by the district attorney’s office.
Police will be required to share their evidence and reports from crashes with the district attorney’s office for prosecutors to decide if a charge is appropriate.
Sartoris said she believes that holding more drivers accountable will encourage safer driving.
“I think when there isn’t enforcement, it’s really hard to tell people to pay more attention,” she said. “I think people’s behavior does change when they know there’s going to be accountability.”
Sartoris said civil violations in crashes are not often filed. They can include a fine of up to $5,000 and the loss of a driver’s license for up to four years.
“Just because someone doesn’t see the bicyclist or pedestrian doesn’t mean they’re not at fault and that they’re not supposed to be held accountable under the law,” she said. “What’s happening right now is all too often, unless there is an actual criminal violation, I’m on my phone, or I’m behaving recklessly, nothing happens. And that’s what we’re really trying to change here.”
Andrew Zarro, the executive director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, said this policy is a step in the right direction toward getting justice for victims of crashes.
“It declares that when a person is walking or biking and they’re hurt on our roads, that incident deserves serious investigation,” he said. “And when the facts support it, there should be consequences.”
Zarro said in addition to greater enforcement, he believes there is more that needs to be done statewide to protect pedestrians and cyclists on the roads.
“We have inadequate infrastructure for the most part when it comes to cyclists and pedestrians. Our roads are not great, our sidewalks need to be updated, our lighting is not good enough,” he said. “We need to be making those investments as well because until we get both sides of that coin, we’re going to continue to see those crashes.”
There are ways everyone can be safer on the roads.
Zarro said drivers should go the speed limit, avoid distractions, and expect to encounter cyclists and pedestrians. Cyclists should signal when turning, stop at stop signs, and wear bright colors and use lights. Zarro also said pedestrians should not assume cars can see them and should be cautious when crossing the street—make eye contact with drivers.
The district attorney’s office will issue guidance and provide training to police departments on the new policy in the coming days.
Jackie Sartoris is running for reelection this year. In next month’s primary, she will face Valerie Adams, a former prosecutor in the district attorney’s office.