California Bill Proposes Speed Limiting Technology in Cars

The proposed legislation, aimed at reducing road fatalities, faces opposition from some industry groups.

California State Senator Scott Wiener has introduced a bill, S.B. 961, that would require cars to implement 'speed governors' or 'intelligent speed assistance' devices, beginning in 2027, to prevent cars from going over 10 miles per hour over the speed limit.
The bill is part of the 'SAFER California Streets Package' and is a response to the alarming surge in road deaths, with speeding-related crashes causing 12,330 fatalities in 2021.
The proposed technology would use GPS or cameras to determine the maximum speed allowed in a location, but would include a temporary override feature for emergency situations.
Another part of Wiener's bill package, S.B. 960, focuses on the improvement of streets and sidewalks in the state, including new crosswalks and curb extensions.
The legislation has faced opposition from groups such as the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, who argue that drivers should have the maximum ability to respond to unsafe situations on the road.