State Senator Scott Wiener proposes a bill in California to mandate ‘intelligent speed limiters’ in new cars to enhance road safety.By yourNEWS Media Staff
California is poised to become the first state to mandate the installation of ‘intelligent speed limiters’ in new vehicles, a proposal introduced by State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco). This proposed legislation, Senate Bill 961, as reported by The Hill, aims to equip new vehicles sold in California with devices that automatically limit the vehicle’s speed to 10 miles above the speed limit. The bill also includes a requirement for side underride guards on trucks to reduce the severity of accidents involving other vehicles or cyclists.
Senate Bill 960, also part of Wiener’s legislative package, seeks physical improvements on state-owned surface streets, such as new crosswalks and curb extensions, to better serve pedestrians, cyclists, the disabled community, and transit users, as detailed in a press release from Wiener’s office.
During a press conference, covered by NBC Bay Area and available on YouTube, Wiener highlighted that the technology for intelligent speed limiters is already in use in various locations in the U.S. and abroad. Manufacturers such as Volvo and General Motors currently offer options for speed limitation, particularly useful for parents of teenage drivers.
Support for the bill is strong among those who have experienced the impact of high-speed accidents. One such supporter, whose mother was permanently injured while crossing a street in San Francisco, expressed the devastating effects of dangerous speeding in another YouTube video.
Wiener emphasized the necessity of this legislation in his press release, citing alarming statistics from the California Highway Patrol about the frequency of extreme speeding offenses. He believes that implementing measures to prevent reckless speeding is an essential and practical approach to reducing traffic-related tragedies.
If enacted, the bill would exempt emergency vehicles from these speed limitations. This legislation represents a significant move by California to improve road safety and reduce the number of traffic accidents and fatalities.
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