Lawmakers bet on tech to put the brakes on dangerous driving
State lawmakers across the country are turning to new tech tools in a fresh push to rein in aggressive drivers.
The technology, called Intelligent Speed Assistance, reads posted speed limits. If a driver exceeds the limit by more than 5 mph, the device prevents the vehicle from going faster.
The Vision Zero Network says these speed limiters build on the success of alcohol-related ignition interlock devices. These devices are utilized in more than 30 states.
Basic, non-intelligent speed limiters – often called governors – have been used on commercial trucks for years.
Todd Spencer, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, said better driver training for all drivers would do a lot to improve highway safety.
Intelligent Speed Assistance approved in two states
Virginia and Washington were the first states to approve super-speeder programs.
Starting in July 2026, Virginia’s law will apply to anyone convicted of driving over 100 mph. Judges will decide whether to require speed-limiting devices as a penalty for reckless driving.
Beginning in January 2029, Washington law will require people with at least one excessive speeding or reckless driving violation to pay for installing a speed limiter. Drivers would be allowed to override the device three times per month.
Georgia and California lawmakers also passed speed-limiter bills in the past year. Governors in both states later vetoed the bills.
The Georgia bill allowed courts to impose devices on drivers convicted of reckless stunt driving. In California, a bill required vehicles manufactured or sold in the state to be equipped with technology. Drivers would be prevented from exceeding the posted speed limit by more than 10 mph.
Wisconsin
Identical bills in Wisconsin would require certain reckless drivers to use the technology.
AB655/SB659 would mandate installing the devices in vehicles of drivers convicted of at least two reckless driving offenses within five years. Those offenses must include speeding at least 20 mph over the limit.
The devices would have to stay installed for at least one year.
“This approach uses technology to curb speeding and reckless driving and would be used as a behavior modifier,” bill sponsors said.
New Hampshire
A New Hampshire Senate bill would require repeat speeders and drivers caught going excessively fast to install speed-assistance devices before getting their licenses back. The rule would also apply to reckless drivers when speed was a factor.
Under SB618, “excessive speeding” means driving over 100 mph on highways or more than 40 mph above the speed limit on secondary roads.
The bipartisan bill is in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
New York
Earlier this year, the New York Senate approved a bill that would require repeat speeders to use speed-limiting devices.
The “Stop Super Speeders Act” targets drivers who rack up 16 or more speed-camera tickets in one year. It would also require devices in vehicles for drivers who earn 11 or more points in 18 months. Their vehicles would be equipped with devices that cap speeds at 5 mph over the posted limit. Certain exceptions would apply.
Sen. Andrew Gounardes, D-Brooklyn, said the move is needed to improve safety.
“Drivers across New York state who constantly drive dangerously and speed must be held accountable,” Gounardes said. “Requiring these individuals to have speed limiter devices in their vehicles would greatly improve street safety.”
S4045 is awaiting review in the Assembly Transportation Committee.
Florida
One Florida bill aims to keep up the state’s fight against super speeders.
A 2025 law made it an arrestable offense to drive more than 50 mph over the limit or exceed 100 mph.
Rep. Daryl Campbell, D-Fort Lauderdale, wants to go further. His bill, H557, targets drivers whose licenses are suspended for racing or multiple speeding tickets within a year.
Affected drivers would have to install speed limiters in their vehicles for one year. An emergency override would be allowed.
The bill is awaiting assignment to a committee for the session starting Jan. 13.
Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, a Senate proposal would allow the use of speed-limiting technology.
Sen. Sean Dougherty, D-Philadelphia, said 2024 crash data from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation shows over 23,000 speed-related crashes. More than 350 crashes resulted in at least one death.
He added that fines, license points, and suspensions “have not been sufficient to deter the most dangerous drivers on the road, especially repeat offenders.”
His proposal would create a program letting people convicted of certain speed-related offenses install speed-assistance devices in their vehicles.
Dougherty said the program could be an alternative to suspending a driver’s license. Some repeat offenders would be required to use the device.
“Protecting Pennsylvanians is of utmost importance, and creating an ISA system-based program will help slow down drivers with habitual speeding violations for their own safety and the public’s safety,” Dougherty said. LL