Virginia Plans to Implement Speed Limiters on Vehicles of Convicted Reckless Drivers

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      Speeding contributes to over 10,000 traffic fatalities annually in the U.S., yet many drivers consistently exceed the established speed limits. Some individuals, however, consistently drive excessively fast, prompting one state to suggest the installation of speed limiters in the vehicles of those convicted of reckless driving.

      Virginia's newly proposed legislation aims to create the Intelligent Speed Assistance Program, which would mandate that repeat reckless driving offenders and those caught driving over 100 mph have a speed limiter, or "intelligent speed assistance," installed in their vehicles. This device would prevent drivers from exceeding speed limits and serve as an alternative punishment to having their licenses suspended or facing jail time.

      In 2023, Virginia experienced 25,274 speed-related accidents, resulting in 449 fatalities and 13,474 injuries, according to Northern Virginia Magazine. If all goes as planned, next summer Virginia would become the first state in the U.S. to enforce such a program by installing these devices in the vehicles of reckless driving offenders.

      All related expenses, including the cost of the device, will fall on the driver. Tampering with the device or operating a different vehicle would be classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor, with a potential penalty of up to one year in jail.

      As reported by the Washington Post, the proposal is currently under review by the General Assembly after an amendment by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, who removed a stipulated two to six-month sentence, allowing state courts to determine the duration of the requirement.

      Delegate Patrick Hope from Arlington, who sponsored the bill, noted that he was inspired by advocacy organizations such as Families for Safe Streets, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and the National Safety Council. After experiencing a vehicle equipped with a speed limiter, he was convinced of its benefits.

      "It was user-friendly, and once activated, it’s impossible to exceed the speed limit,” Hope shared with the WP. “It will enhance safety on our streets.”

      Intelligent speed assistance technology is not a new concept. Many modern vehicles are equipped with speed recognition software that provides speed alerts, and some systems will limit speed overshooting, particularly with adaptive cruise control. However, these functions are typically adjustable in personal cars. In contrast, transit vehicles, such as school buses, already have capped speed limits, and monitoring fleet vehicles is generally easier than tracking individual drivers.

      The specifics of how this proposed program will be enforced are not clarified in the legislation. Just as individuals often disregard suspended licenses—especially when they rely on them for commuting—driving another vehicle might seem straightforward. Moreover, will a speed limiter genuinely encourage more responsible driving habits?

      Additionally, the program pertains only to personal vehicles, excluding commercial ones (like delivery vans). Therefore, if a frequently reckless driver is also a commercial driver, there's no guarantee they won't speed and jeopardize others while working.

      Washington, D.C. enacted similar legislation last year, set to take effect this September. Several states, including Maryland and Washington, are contemplating similar measures. Should the Virginia assembly approve the modified bill, the speed limiter program could start in July 2026.