Bill proposing mandatory speeding alert systems in new cars heads to Newsom

Gov. Gavin Newsom could soon approve a bill that would require new passenger vehicles, motortrucks and buses sold or manufactured in the state to be equipped with a warning system to alert drivers when they are speeding.

If signed by Newsom, the requirement would go into effect in the 2030 model year for new vehicles.

According to Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, who spoke to the Los Angeles Times, the system would alert drivers with a visual and audio signal when they go over the speed limit by 10 mph but wouldn’t physically limit a car’s speed.

Authorized emergency vehicles, certain motortrucks, motorcycles, motorized bicycles, mopeds and certain passenger vehicles already equipped with a GPS or front-facing camera would be exempt, according to the bill’s text.

California Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) introduced the bill, officially known as SB 961 , as part of the SAFER California Streets legislation package. The package aims to reduce traffic deaths and injuries statewide.

“This speed-limiting technology already exists. The European Union is moving in this direction & the National Transportation Safety Board has recommended adopting the requirement nationally,” Wiener posted on X, formerly Twitter.

The legislation would be the first of its kind in the U.S. should Newsom sign it.

A June report from TRIP , a transportation research group, found that traffic fatalities in California increased by 22% from 2019 through 2022, compared to 19% for the U.S. overall.

In another study from the California Office of Traffic Safety , researchers found that from 2017 to 2021, one-third of all traffic fatalities statewide were speeding-related.

The legislation recently passed the state Senate and Assembly without support from Republican lawmakers, who voiced concern about the proposed bill.

“I already have things screaming at me in my car at every given moment when I have my children in there and the last thing I need is my car beeping at me,” Assemblymember Joe Patterson (R-Rocklin) said at a hearing, according to the Times.

Gov. Newsom has until Sept. 30 to either sign or veto the bill.

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