In developed countries around the world, driving is becoming increasingly safer. An exception to that rule is the United States, where driving continues to become more dangerous. Unfortunately, there are so many factors that make driving in America more dangerous, there’s no silver bullet that will magically fix everything. However, one thing that would definitely help is if drivers slowed down, especially in cities. In an effort to do that, Road & Track report That’s California only passed a bill requiring cars to warn drivers whenever they drive more than 10 mph over the speed limit.
The California Senate just passed SB 961, requiring half of all new cars manufactured or sold in the state to be equipped with passive speed limiters by 2029, and by 2032, that number will increase to 100 %. If it passes Congress and is signed into law, the new regulation would apply to all passenger vehicles, including trucks as well as buses. And while there would be nothing physically stopping someone from driving over the posted speed limit by more than 10 mph, adding beeps and flashing warnings would at least make it more annoying much.
Under the bill, the required “passive intelligent speed assist system” would be “[an] minimally integrated vehicle system that uses the vehicle’s GPS position relative to a database of posted speed limits, to determine the speed limit, and uses brief, single-use visual and audible signals times to warn drivers every time they exceed the speed limit by more than 10 miles per hour.” It will also default to a higher speed limit if, for any reason, there are multiple speed limits in the area you are driving in.
This is not necessarily a new idea. Starting in July, the European Union will also begin requiring similar passive speed limiters on new cars, and so will the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. support the implementation of similar regulations nationwide. Assuming it passes, California will simply be the first state in the country to require it. And if it passes, don’t be surprised if more states follow California’s lead.
