(The Center Square) – Street racers could soon face a rude awakening under legislation considered by state lawmakers on Thursday to require speed-limiters for certain offenses.
Rep. Mari Leavitt, D-University Place, proposed House Bill 1596 to address excessive speeding and related traffic deaths. According to the bill, more than 30% of the state’s fatal crashes in 2023 involved speeding, slightly up from 29% in 2022.
The House Transportation Committee held a public hearing on Thursday for the proposal. If approved, HB 1596 would require individuals guilty of excessive speeding and reckless driving to install an “intelligent speed assistance,” or ISA, device on their own dime.
“She was happy, fulfilled and helping when, out of nowhere, a missile slammed into her van, instantly taking four precious lives and leaving three young children with no mother,” Ted Smith testified regarding his late daughter. “This was the result of a sober, thrill-seeking driver with no concern for others; 112 mph through a red light near a residential area in the middle of the day.”
Virginia is considering similar legislation, and the European Union requires ISA devices for all new vehicles regardless of offender status. According to HB 1596, individuals would have to pay to install and remove the device unless the company waives that, on top of a $21 monthly lease.
The proposal also creates an “intelligent speed-restricted driver’s license” for people convicted of certain moving violations. The Department of Licensing already offers special and restricted licenses with ignition interlock devices for people convicted of impaired driving.
The courts use interlock devices and restricted licenses as conditions for pretrial release and probation, and similar to this proposal, the offender must cover the costs. According to Leavitt’s proposal, “excessive speeding” is driving 20 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit.
If approved, an offender must pay a $100 fee to apply for the new license and prove that they’ve installed an ISA device. According to HB 1596, the DOL would use the $21 monthly fee to offset the cost of ISA devices for low-income individuals with related traffic convictions.
“While it may be a new technology to the committee,” Leavitt said Thursday, “it’s not a new technology across the globe.”
While the device intends to prevent speeding, the proposal allows people to override the limiter up to three times monthly to pass slow-moving vehicles. However, violating the license, tampering with the device or helping someone else do so would result in a gross misdemeanor.
According to HB 1596, applicants wanting to install the ISA devices must submit an application proving they meet the definition provided by the bill. Any person hired to install, repair, maintain or monitor the device must also submit an annual criminal background check before doing so.
Leavitt cited data from the American Association of Motor Vehicles Administrators, which shows more than 70% of people with suspended licenses continue driving anyway. She said HB 1596 allows those individuals to drive while addressing safety and accountability concerns.
According to a fiscal note, HB 1596 would cost at least $4.5 million, with other indeterminate amounts, to implement through 2027 and roughly $600,000 per biennium thereafter. If approved, the legislation would take effect in 2026.
“My body is trembling because next week, on Feb. 6, marks four years since we received a call,” Lori Markowitz testified. “‘Your son is in the ICU, and he’s not going to make it.’ Our precious son, Josh, 27 years old, was hit by [a vehicle traveling at] 100 mph; … In less than a fraction of a second, he was given a death sentence and robbed of his life.”
The House Transportation Committee has yet to schedule an executive session for HB 1596. At that time, the officials will decide whether to amend the proposal and/or move it to the next step.
