If you choose, you can ignore speed limits entirely, at the risk of fines, loss of license, and possible incarceration. In Washington state, though, authorities won’t be asking repeat offenders to play nice anymore. They’ll be making speeders obey the law with technology.
As covered by Washington State Standard, Governor Bob Ferguson signed the new bill into law on Monday. House Bill 1596 will mandate the installation of speed limiting devices for drivers on restricted licenses who have previously had their licenses suspended for excess speed or reckless driving. Installation of a device may also be mandated by judges under various circumstances, such as a condition of probation.
Efforts to pass the bill were driven by a speeding-related crash in King County last year that claimed four lives. The legislation received bipartisan support amidst a broader push to stem casualties on the state’s roads. From the Washington State Standard:
The new law is known as the BEAM Act, named after four people killed in a crash last year with a speeding driver near Renton: Boyd Buster Brown, Eloise Wilcoxson, Andrea Smith Hudson and Matilda Wilcoxson.
[…]
The driver was held up as an example of someone who would’ve needed to install a speed limiter. In the prior 10 months, he had reportedly been involved in two crashes in which his speeding was a factor.
Technologically, the system works in a straightforward fashion somewhat akin to drink-driving interlock devices. It uses GPS to determine the car’s position and speed, comparing it to the posted speed limit on the road in question. If the driver attempts to exceed the local speed limit, the device intervenes electronically to lock out further acceleration. It appears the devices likely interface with the vehicle via the OBD-II port, which would prevent their use on older vehicles.
The device was tested in a demonstration for local media upon the bill’s passing. “If I’m in a 25 (mile per hour) residential area, and I want to go past 35 or 34 or 30, depending on how it’s set, I literally can’t do it,” Representative Mari Leavitt told the media. “I can push my foot on the pedal as hard as I want to and I just can’t.” Leavitt was a prime sponsor of the bill.
For drivers with a history of excessive speeding and moving violations, the bill states that a driver may have to use an “intelligent speed assistance device” for 120 days after receiving a restricted license post-suspension. Those with reckless driving charges will see that rise to 150 days. Driving during this period without such a device is a traffic infraction that incurs 30 days of license suspension. These provisions will go into effect from January 1, 2029.
As we’ve explored previously (and it’s worth reading Thomas’s story, since it includes his opinions of the pro/cons of the tech; numerous commenters in that post express concern about the device’s ability to be defeated), the device is intended to prevent repeat speeders from reoffending, in place of more stringent measures such as outright driving bans, which could make it difficult for the driver to get to work in a nation not known for its public transportation. Similar to many alcohol interlock laws, drivers will be responsible for paying for the installation and maintenance of the device out of their own pocket. There is also a workaround provision if the device mistakes the posted local speed limit; drivers will be able to manually overrule the device three times per month.
Washington state isn’t the only one exploring such legislation. Similar bills have passed in Virginia and Georgia, while Washington, D.C. approved legislation for a “speed governor” program last year.
These days, the technology to implement such speed limiters is affordable and accessible. Indeed, jurisdictions like Europe are even exploring implementing the technology on all vehicles across the board. Expect other states to pay close attention to what Washington is doing. If it proves popular and effective, it’s entirely possible that politicians may pursue similar legislation around the nation.
Image credits: FOX 13 Seattle via screenshot
See, right here you can mandate kei car ownership before the speed limiter. Make a booze hound drive a 1993 “my knees are the crumple zone” while the billionaire can register the midget II he picks up the mail in as a choice.
Later counts the booze hound and speeders can put a speed limiter on their 66hp tiny car.
I don’t have a problem with this for repeat offenders but the European idea of mandatory for all cars sounds awful, but I also can’t imagine that ever flying in the US so hopefully stays that way.