Activists in New York propose legislation requiring speed-limiting devices for excessive speed drivers, dubbed 'super speeders'.
Revamped Take:
In the states across the U.S., speeding incidents are accounting for a staggering third of traffic fatalities, and this alarming figure has been on the rise lately. To combat this issue, some states are leaning towards technological solutions like intelligent speed assistance (ISA) devices. However, progress in New York, a state that has proposed such a bill, has been sluggish. As the Senate is set to adjourn in June, advocates are ramping up pressure for change.
Last month, Virginia nudged into the limelight as the trailblazer by allowing judges to enforce GPS-controlled devices on vehicles, restricting their speed to no more than 10 mph over the set limit, for those convicted of speeding at an insane 100 mph. This new law came after the Washington D.C. Council authorized an ISA program aimed at drivers whose licenses were suspended or revoked due to speeding violations.
Speeding vigilance truly took flight in New York, with Senator Andrew Gounardes presenting the 'Stop Super Speeders' bill last year. This proposed legislation would require drivers with 11 or more points within a specific timeframe to install an ISA, limiting their speed to no more than 5 mph over the limit. Several ghastly incidents, such as the heart-wrenching loss of a mother and her two daughters, who were struck in a crosswalk by a speeding driver with a suspended license, have added fuel to the bill's fire. As of now, the bill is under review in the Senate Transportation Committee. But on Monday, New York City advocates, including some city council members, rallied outside City Hall, urging state legislators to take decisive action.
Elizabeth Adams, the deputy executive director for public affairs at Transportation Alternatives, expressed the advocates' sentiments during the gathering, stating, "We are urging Albany to pass the Stop Super Speeders Bill - common sense legislation that takes the option to speed away from New York City's most reckless drivers."
Other states have joined the anti-speeding crusade, too. Georgia, for instance, has a bill waiting for the governor's signature. Nevertheless, last year, California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, vetoed the state's bill, citing ongoing evaluations of ISA systems by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTS), considering state-level mandates could interfere with these ongoing assessments.
Amy Cohen, head of Families for Safe Streets, which spearheaded New York's push, told Fast Company that the various bills introduced in the U.S. have subtle differences. However, Cohen explained that they all boil down to the simple idea of "We're not snatching your car away; we're just saying that you can't drive dangerously. You need to reach your destination safely, without causing harm to others."
ISA systems come in various forms, including simple alerts for excessive speeding and more robust systems that can prevent acceleration entirely. Back in 2013, following its investigation into a Nevada crash with nine fatalities, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) called on the NHTS to implement these basic ISA systems at the very least. Besides, the European Union mandated the installation of these systems in all new vehicles last year.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy underscored the importance of redundancy in saving lives, stating, "What we lack is the collective will to act on NTSB safety recommendations."
Key Points to Note
- Virginia has become the first state to pass an ISA law, allowing judges to enforce speed limiters on vehicles for reckless drivers.
- Other states like Washington D.C. and Georgia are also considering similar ISA legislation as an alternative to traditional penalties.
- Technological integration, privacy concerns, public acceptance, and legislative support are among the challenges in implementing ISA legislation.
- The European Union has already mandated the installation of ISA systems in all new vehicles, while the NTSB continues to push for stronger safety measures in U.S. vehicles.
- In the face of rising speeding-related traffic fatalities, some states are exploring technological solutions, such as intelligent speed assistance (ISA) devices.
- The future of traffic safety may lie in the integration of technology, with ISA systems being one potential solution for curbing speeding incidents.
- Virginia has taken the lead in this issue, mandating the use of GPS-controlled devices on vehicles for those convicted of speeding at excessive speeds, following Washington D.C.'s introduction of an ISA program for certain drivers.
- New York, too, is considering a similar bill, dubbed the 'Stop Super Speeders' bill, which would require drivers with numerous points on their license to install an ISA device limiting their speed.
- The finance industry and transportation sector might need to adapt to these mandates as ISA systems become more widespread, while addressing concerns about privacy and public acceptance.
- With the European Union already mandating the installation of ISA systems in new vehicles, and the National Transportation Safety Board continuing to push for stronger safety measures, the tech and auto industries may soon find themselves at the forefront of shaping the future of transportation safety.
