WA bill would put speed limiting devices in cars of habitual speeders

Drivers with a history of speeding could get a speed limiting device on their cars under a bill making its way through the legislature. Proponents say an alarming increase in fatal accidents caused by speeding is driving the proposal. 

Heard in the House Transportation Committee on January 30, House Bill 1596 would require the installation of an "intelligent speed assistance device" in the cars of certain drivers. 

How It Works:

The device limits the speed of the car using GPS technology to follow the speed limit of the area of their moving car. Drivers with the device would be allowed to exceed the speed limit up to three times a month.

Similar to how ignition interlock devices are used for people with a history of drunk driving, a person would have a speed limiter if they have a new restricted license established by the bill that requires the device. 

They would also get one during the probation period after their license was suspended for racing or "excessive speeding" – defined as going at least 20 miles per hour over the speed limit. Drivers could also be ordered by a court to have a speed-limiting device. 

"We’re losing Washingtonians and family members are losing loved ones unnecessarily, tragically and preventably," testified prime sponsor State Representative Mari Leavitt (D-University Place). 

Data from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission in 2023 shows one in three fatal crashes in the state involved a speeding driver. The total number of fatal crashes, and the number involving speeding, has been trending upward since 2019. 

"Between 2019 and 2024, tickets to speeding drivers in excess of 50 miles an hour over the speed limit increased by 200%," testified Shelly Baldwin with the WTSC. "So we know that this is an increasing problem that we’ve been dealing with." 

Leavitt said her bill hopes to address that increasing problem, as mandating the devices would help correct those who habitually go over the speed limit and put others at risk. 

"These aren’t accidents," she said. "They’re intentionally folks choosing behavior that is harming and often killing folks." 

Local perspective:

Leavitt pointed to a crash in Renton last March that killed 38-year-old Andrea Smith and three children. According to charging documents, the 18-year-old driver in the other car was driving over 100 miles per hour and had a history of accidents involving speeding.

Smith’s father testified in support of the bill. 

"When is this going to be stopped," said Ted Smith. "We need stiff consequences for these thrillseekers. And we must use any tools available to detect and stop this from happening again." 

One member of the transportation committee questioned if the bill gives a pass to speeders by giving them a way to continue driving. 

"So we’re trying to help them get back their license by giving them this tool," said State Representative Gloria Mendoza (R-Grandview). "So how is this helping save lives?"

"We want to find a way for them to be able to drive lawfully, but safely," replied Leavitt. "And having them on the road in a safe manner is gonna save lives, because they’re driving anyway and they’re driving fast. And this device, these speed limiters, are going to ensure that they can’t." 

As of Friday, the bill is yet to be scheduled for a vote out of committee.

Albert James is a television reporter covering state government as part of the Murrow News Fellowship program – a collaborative effort between news outlets statewide and Washington State University

The Source: Information for this article comes from the Washington State Legislature.

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