def reward_function(params):
    """
    Example of penalize steering, which helps mitigate zig-zag behaviors
    """

    # Read input parameters
    distance_from_center = params["distance_from_center"]
    track_width = params["track_width"]
    steering = abs(params["steering_angle"])  # Only need the absolute steering angle

    # Calculate 3 markers that are at varying distances away from the center line
    marker_1 = 0.1 * track_width
    marker_2 = 0.25 * track_width
    marker_3 = 0.5 * track_width

    # Give higher reward if the agent is closer to center line and vice versa
    if distance_from_center <= marker_1:
        reward = 1
    elif distance_from_center <= marker_2:
        reward = 0.5
    elif distance_from_center <= marker_3:
        reward = 0.1
    else:
        reward = 1e-3  # likely crashed/ close to off track

    # Steering penality threshold, change the number based on your action space setting
    ABS_STEERING_THRESHOLD = 15

    # Penalize reward if the agent is steering too much
    if steering > ABS_STEERING_THRESHOLD:
        reward *= 0.8

    return float(reward)