A collection of New York legislators are pushing for the compulsory use of speed limiters in vehicles belonging to habitual speed offenders, as recently reported by The New York Daily News.
The proposed legislation stipulates that drivers with numerous speed-camera violations will be required to retrofit speed limiters in their cars. The bill was introduced on Tuesday in the New York State legislature by two representatives from Brooklyn, one of New York City’s boroughs.
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Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill’s sponsor in the New York Senate, expressed to the Daily News that financial penalties don’t sufficiently deter speeding, as a group of drivers persist in accruing numerous speeding offenses.
The suggested remedy involves a speed limiter which would cap vehicle speed at a maximum of 5 mph above the displayed speed limit. The proposed legislation calls for the installation of these devices in vehicles that have recorded six or more speed-camera violations.
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In New York State, speed-camera violations do not result in points on the driver’s license, as the automated systems cannot confirm who is at the wheel. Drivers pulled over by police can receive license points for speeding on top of fines. Although the state law permits suspension of licenses if a driver accrues 11 points within 18 months, it isn’t a requirement. The proposed bill would necessitate speed limiters in the vehicles of drivers who amass 11 points but don’t have their licenses suspended.
This is not the first initiative to regulate speed in New York. In 2022, lawmakers proposed equipping all vehicles manufactured or registered within the state with a technology named Active Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA), which would leverage GPS and traffic sign recognition to determine the speed limit and prevent drivers from surpassing it. However, this bill did not move past the New York Senate Rules Committee.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Speed Limiters Legislation
What is the proposed legislation in New York regarding speed limiters?
The proposed legislation in New York would make it mandatory for vehicles of habitual speed offenders to be fitted with speed limiters. These limiters would prevent the vehicle from exceeding 5 mph above the posted speed limit. The proposal targets drivers with six or more speed-camera violations.
Who is sponsoring this proposed bill?
Senator Andrew Gounardes is sponsoring this bill in the New York Senate. He believes that financial penalties alone are not a sufficient deterrent for a group of drivers who continue to speed despite accumulating multiple violations.
What happens to drivers who accumulate speed-camera violations currently?
In New York State, speed-camera violations do not lead to points on a driver’s license because the automated system cannot verify who is driving. However, if a driver is stopped by police for speeding, they can receive points on their license in addition to fines.
What are the repercussions for drivers who accumulate license points for speeding?
State law allows for licenses to be suspended if a driver gathers 11 points within an 18-month period. Under the proposed legislation, even if the licenses aren’t suspended, speed limiters would be installed in the vehicles of drivers who reach this point threshold.
Were there any previous proposals to control speeding in New York?
Yes, in 2022, a bill was proposed to equip all vehicles manufactured or registered in New York with an Active Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) system. This system would use GPS and traffic sign recognition to determine the speed limit and prevent drivers from exceeding it. However, this bill did not pass the New York Senate Rules Committee.
5 comments
Saw this coming from a mile away. Lots of speeders in the city. Think it might actually work if done right.
Sounds like a sensible move to me. Fines aren’t enough to deter some speeders, maybe this will make ’em think twice.
Really?? as if we don’t have enough tech controlling our lives. We can’t even drive how we want now. smh.
what’s next, mandating self-driving cars? I don’t like where this is headed. They should focus on better driver’s ed instead.
Interesting concept. how would the limiters work with different speed limits in diffrent zones? Curious to see if this bill passes.