California Poised to Mandate Speeding Alerts in New Vehicles
California lawmakers have approved a bill that could make the state the first in the nation to mandate speed assistance technology in new cars. This move, designed to warn drivers when they exceed the speed limit, is generating both support and criticism.
The bill, introduced by state Senator Scott Wiener, initially proposed ‘active’ speed assistance, which could physically prevent a vehicle from exceeding the speed limit. However, after facing opposition, the bill was amended to include only a ‘passive’ warning system.
“We listened and we heard,” said Wiener, defending the change. “Once we looked at the studies, we saw that the passive speed limiter is also highly effective. And so I was comfortable making that change.”
This passive system will alert drivers when they are going more than 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, starting with the 2030 model year.
Differing Perspectives on the Bill
Safety advocates are largely in favor of the bill, citing the potential to reduce speeding-related crashes and save lives.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) supports the measure and believes the widespread use of this technology can save lives. “Broad deployment of intelligent speed assistance would reduce the frequency of speeding and speeding-related crashes… saving lives and preventing injuries, and we applaud you for pursuing this policy,” the NTSB wrote in support of the California bill.
However, critics of the bill, including the National Motorists Association, voice concerns about the technology’s reliability.
Jay Beeber of the National Motorists Association said, “The technology is not perfect. You’re gonna have a lot of false positives.”
The auto industry also has reservations about the bill. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, an industry trade group, states that these systems rely on well-placed and visible speed limit signs, which are not consistently present in the U.S., making them less effective.
“Many/most intelligent speed assist systems are glitchy and unreliable in the U.S.,” the group wrote.
Karen Bailey-Chapman, with the Specialty Equipment Market Association, called the bill another example of “California’s overreach.”
Looking Ahead
The bill now goes to Governor Gavin Newsom, who has until the end of the month to decide whether to sign it into law. Senator Wiener hopes California’s action will encourage federal regulators to adopt similar requirements nationwide.
“I would love for the federal government to require this technology nationally,” he said, drawing a comparison to Wisconsin’s early adoption of seatbelt laws in the 1960s. “How many lives have been saved because Wisconsin stepped out ahead of the federal government in 1962 and required seatbelts, which started a domino effect nationally?”
