Newsom vetoes bill that would have required speed warning technology in all new California vehicles

"Today’s veto is a setback for street safety at a time Californians are feeling extremely unsafe."Photo byMaxim HopmanonUnsplash

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed Senate Bill 961, authored by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), which would have made California the first state in the nation to mandate speed warning technology in new vehicles. The bill aimed to reduce traffic deaths by requiring intelligent speed assistance (ISA) systems in all new cars manufactured, sold, or leased in California starting with the 2030 model year.

In response to the veto, Senator Wiener expressed disappointment, stating, "Today’s veto is a setback for street safety at a time Californians are feeling extremely unsafe." SB 961 had garnered strong support from organizations like the American Automobile Association (AAA), Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and the National Safety Council.

The bill was modeled on similar regulations implemented in the European Union and followed the National Transportation Safety Board’s recommendation to require ISA in new vehicles. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, speeding contributed to one-third of all traffic fatalities between 2017 and 2021.