In a landmark decision by the California Senate, new cars in the state are set to become safer and smarter. The Senate recently passed SB 961, a bill mandating the installation of “passive speed limiters” in all new vehicles manufactured or sold in California by the year 2032. This initiative positions California as the first state in the U.S. to adopt such a measure, echoing a similar legislation soon to be effective in the European Union.
Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), the bill’s proponent, highlighted the urgency of this move amidst rising traffic fatalities. “California—and America as a whole—has seen a horrifying spike in deaths of drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists,” he noted.
The disturbing trend has been exacerbated since the COVID-19 pandemic, with the California Office of Traffic Safety’s 2023 Traffic Safety Report revealing significant increases in fatal incidents involving impaired driving and vulnerable road users.
Understanding Passive Speed Governors
Passive speed governors, or passive Intelligent Speed Assistance systems, serve as technological guardians. These systems alert drivers with both auditory and visual warnings if they exceed the speed limit by more than ten miles per hour.
“These deaths are preventable, and they’re occurring because of policy choices to tolerate dangerous roads,” Senator Wiener explained. “The evidence is clear: Rising levels of dangerous speeding are placing all Californians in danger, and by taking prudent steps to improve safety, we can save lives.”
The mechanism of these devices is designed to ensure that drivers remain in complete control, with the ability to override the system easily, mirroring the functionality of the forthcoming EU regulations.
California’s SB 961:Phased Implementation of Speed Governors
SB 961 stipulates a phased implementation, with a requirement that 50% of new vehicles be equipped with passive speed governors by 2029, ramping up to full compliance by 2032. Notably, the legislation exempts emergency vehicles from this requirement.
The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 22-13 and is now headed to the State Assembly, where it must be approved by August 31 to become law. This progressive step by California underscores a commitment to leveraging technology for public safety and sets a precedent that could inspire similar measures nationwide.
