Photo by Kari Nesler on Flickr
If you live in California, contact your representative! If you live in New York or New Jersey, this law may be coming to you next.
In a significant legislative move, State Senator Scott Wiener of California is advancing Senate Bill NO. 961 through the state house. This bill aims to implement an unprecedented measure in traffic regulation by mandating that all new vehicles sold in California be equipped with “intelligent speed limiter systems.” These advanced systems are designed to ensure compliance with speed limits by actively controlling the vehicle’s top speed.
Stung by Kia first reported on this three weeks ago.
The scope of Senate Bill NO. 961 extends beyond the traditional approach of governing legal thresholds for vehicle speed or outlining the repercussions for violating speed limits. Instead, it seeks to integrate technology directly into the vehicles to proactively prevent speeding. According to the proposed legislation, from the year 2027 onward, every new passenger vehicle, commercial truck, and bus manufactured or sold within the state’s borders would be required to include a built-in speed governor.
Authorized governmental emergency vehicles, or other vehicles as determined by the state motor vehicle commissioner, would be exempt from compliance.
The integrated speed control technology would cap a vehicle’s maximum speed to a margin no greater than 10 miles per hour above the legally posted speed limits. The practical implication of this is a form of real-time, automatic speed regulation that constantly adapts to varying speed limits across different zones. As drivers traverse from one area to another, with varying speed restrictions, the vehicle’s speed limit system would adjust accordingly, thereby maintaining compliance with local speed regulations and ostensibly enhancing road safety.
If successfully enacted, Senate Bill NO. 961 would place California at the forefront of vehicular speed regulation, setting a potential precedent for other states or even countries to follow. This bill represents a confluence of legislative action and technological advancement aimed at reducing traffic accidents and fatalities attributed to speeding. As with any far-reaching policy change, this legislative effort is likely to be the subject of intense public and political debate, weighing the potential safety benefits against concerns related to personal autonomy, technological readiness, and the impact on the automotive industry.
If you live in California, to contact your representative, click here.