Speeding is a widespread problem affecting all road users, including truck drivers who also operate passenger vehicles. This means new regulations impact professionals too. Globally, speeding accounts for about a third of all road accident injuries and fatalities. Distracted driving, a major concern for NHTSA alongside speeding, has become an enormous issue for law enforcement in the age of smartphones. Sending or reading a text message can distract a driver for 5 seconds – the equivalent of driving the entire length of a football field at 55 miles per hour with your eyes closed. Despite various initiatives, U.S. fatalities have remained constant since 2000 (38,000 to 42,000 fatalities), with young drivers (15-24 years old) being particularly at risk due to frequent speeding.
States Take Action: New York and Washington Lead the Way
In response to this persistent problem, states like New York and Washington are implementing stringent measures. New York is set to lower its general speed limit from the current 25 mph to 20 mph by the end of 2025 and expand its automated camera system. These cameras help law enforcement identify and ticket speeding vehicles.
Washington state is particularly significant in introducing new road safety regulations. This May, they passed the BEAM Act. Under this law, drivers whose licenses were suspended for dangerous driving or speeding will be required to install a GPS-based speed limiting device in their vehicles to regain driving privileges. Judges will also be able to mandate these devices as a condition for pretrial release or parole after conviction. This new law is slated to take effect in January 2029. Governor Bob Ferguson emphasizes that the goal is to save lives.
Speed Limiters: A New Approach to Enforcement
Washington is joining Virginia, which will begin implementing these devices as early as July 1, 2026. Speed limiters aim to physically prevent speeding, especially among repeat offenders, and address criticisms that fines disproportionately affect lower-income drivers. Moreover, in both Washington and Virginia, tampering with or attempting to remove the device will be considered a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in prison and substantial fines. Drivers in Washington will have the option to refuse installation, opting instead for license suspension.
These new regulations signal a significant shift in the approach to road safety, leveraging technology as a crucial tool in the fight against excessive speed. It’s important to remember that these rules are currently intended only for passenger vehicles. OOIDA (The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association) is actively lobbying the U.S. Congress against federal mandates for speed limiters on trucks, supporting legislation like the DRIVE Act, which aims to prohibit the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) from issuing such regulations. The organization also encourages its members to contact their congressmen and voice their opposition to such rules.
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