Too many folks are “putting the pedal to the metal,” says one state legislator. With one-in-three fatal crashes involving speeding, the lawmaker says enough already. If they won’t slow themselves down, a proposed law would do it. Speed limiters for speeders. Put speed limiters in the vehicles of repeat speed limit breakers.
“Intelligent speed assistance device”—speed limiters for speeders
“We’re losing Washingtonians and family members are losing loved ones unnecessarily, tragically and preventably,” testified the bill’s prime sponsor, State Representative Mari Leavitt (D-University Place). Leavitt’s bill in the Washington State House of Representatives is House Bill 1596.
The bill would require certain drivers to install an “intelligent speed assistance device” in their vehicles. Using GPS technology, the device limits the car’s speed to the current area’s speed limit. What if they really need to speed? Drivers with the device could exceed the limit up to three times per month.
The speed limiter is similar to ignition interlock devices for DUI offenders in that it would be required for drivers with a new restricted license under the bill. It would also apply to those on probation after having their license suspended for racing or “excessive speeding” (defined as 20+ miles per hour over the speed limit), and could be mandated by a court order.
200% increase in those going 50 or more over the limit
Is there really a problem with speeding drivers in the Evergreen State? According to 2023 data from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, one in three fatal crashes in the state involved speeding. Both the total number of fatal crashes and those involving speeding have been rising since 2019.
“Between 2019 and 2024, tickets to speeding drivers in excess of 50 miles an hour over the speed limit increased by 200 percent,” testified Shelly Baldwin with the state’s Traffic Safety Commission. “So we know that this is an increasing problem that we’ve been dealing with.”
Speed limiters for speeders? As of this morning, the bill was still in committee.
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Thank you, Russ and Tina, for forwarding the information surrounding the proposed bill. Very interesting. I would like to see the actual numbers. Was there one person cited for 50, or more, mph over the speed limit and then there were 3? That would be a 200% increase. The sponsor has strong incentive to exaggerate the data to demonstrate the importance of the proposed bill becoming law. In Tennessee and Virginia driving 20, or more, mph over the posted speed limit is reckless driving. Fifty over?!? Yikes! Have a great day and safe travels! 🙂 PS, I think we need to rethink being in Washington next summer. Seems far too dangerous to risk life and limb by being inside the state. 🤔😯
I share your thoughts Neal. I may have to rethink my upcoming travel plans as Washington State sounds like an unsafe place to travel through…😬🙃
I have trouble understanding anyone exceeding a speed limit by 50 mph, Bill. I just wonder how prevalent this is and where it typically happens, maybe when, too?
I’m sure it happens sometimes, but probably not as a regular occurrence.. and hopefully only on well designed freeways or roadways.
And with a greater hope that alcohol or drugs are not involved 🙏
and safe travels to us both if we do end up in that direction !!
I agree – FIFTY over? AND 200% INCREASE? Sounds like someone cherry picked numbers in order to get their name on a bill. Gotta get your name out there for the next election. (I really hate to think that way, but….)
Hi, Kelly, Neal and Bill. Here’s a link to a chart breaking down traffic fatalities in Washington state, if you’re interested. Many, many decades ago, when I was 17(?), I drove on I-5 north of Seattle in my folks’ (older) car at 85 mph, just for kicks, and to prove that my dad’s statement that it wouldn’t go over 60 was incorrect.🙄 No, the engine didn’t blow up…and I didn’t get caught. About gave my sister a heart attack, however. So, I have a feeling that those folks around here who drive 50 mph over the speed limit are probably in their teens or early 20s. And no, I don’t drive quite that fast anymore.😉 Although the first license plate on my ’75 Suburban (with a big engine) was EHF131. My kids decided it stood for Extra Heavy Foot. Hmmm. I wonder why.🤔 Have a good night. 😀 –Diane
Diane, thanks for the traffic chart. I did look at it and the statistics give one pause, but all those numbers started to haunt me as I had just started looking at my Income Taxes. I just didn’t need to look at any more discouraging numbers today.
Thank you, Diane! Talked to Dave and Cheri yesterday about speeding in and around where they live and they related a particulatly troublesome case. A young man totaled two cars provided by his parents before totaling a third and, in the process, killed several people, mostly children. After wandering through those many pages of data for Washington, it looks as though we’ll be safest if we pass through your area on a Tuesday on a state highway between 3 and 6 AM. 😉 Early breakfast, anyone? 😉 SAFE travels!
I heard about that tragedy in the news, of course, since we’re in the same area. Destroyed many lives. At least when I sped that time many decades ago that I mentioned, it was on a big stretch of freeway, in the afternoon, and there were no cars around. I got it up to 85, to prove my dad was wrong, then went back to the speed limit. Still feel guilty, so I guess it served another purpose, since I haven’t done that since. (Well, not much, anyway.) Have a great day, Neal. 😀 –Diane
Thank you, Diane! Gee, again, I am not notified of your comments in a thread in which I have commented. 🙁 Please forgive my tardiness. Safe travels!
You’re welcome, Neal. And you replied less than a day after my comment, and it didn’t really require a reply anyway.😉 Take care.🤗 –Diane
Diane! you little dare devil! I never woulda thought… haha 😉
Good morning, Matt. Ohhh, you have no idea what I got away with in my younger years. I’m surprised I survived (or didn’t end up in jail)!🤣 Like racing a cop off the line? (I won, and he let me go. Was probably in too much shock to believe what I had done.🤣) Have a great day! 🤗 –Diane
Neal, when I saw 200% increase my first thought was exactly like yours…it’s a very tiny number so any small increase in count is a huge percentage, which is then used to incite fear. Percentages are one of the most abused statistical measurements.
That said, my opinion is that speeding is out of control nation wide. It’s common for work zone limits to be exceeded by 20 + mph. Same with “in town” traffic.
I certainly agree, Mikal. Since we returned where I grew up, I have approximated the speed limits. My rule of thumb is 2-3 mph over the speed limit. My justification, rationalization is to avoid being “run over” by the rest of traffic, which seems 10, or more, mph over the speed limit. Everywhere we have been in the past 8 years seems to have speeders unless congestion prevents it. Safe travels!
In Washington State, 20 over is Prima Facea evidence of Reckless driving and may be charged as such depending on conditions and the officer’s discretion.
So, too, in Virginia, Capt. Jim! I think so, too, in Tennessee. Safe travels!
NEWS FLASH it is not just Washington state with a speeding problem…it is an American problem. Americans have grown up with the “car culture” instigated by Californians over a 100 years ago…what do people expect when a human can **** up a free sack lunch. Look in the mirror people…don’t point your fingers at others.
I’m sure many will applaud this prospect as they do many other so called safety monitoring by government. Just remember what the end of this road looks like: China.
Too many roads have insanely LOW speed limits. I’ve been on roads around the country that are 45mph that would be 75 in Texas.
So true.
I think you’ll find that the majority of those who find it necessary to speed 20mph over the posted speed limit are those of the younger generation. In my earlier years I always had souped up cars (that today are called muscle cars) and drove them like I just stole them. Once married and had kids in the back seat, my speeding days came to a halt as I realized how foolish I had been. I was lucky in that I never had a “serious” accident, but did have my share that could have been avoided if I was not speeding.
Today, I limit myself to no more than 5mph over the speed limit and only on the freeways. I no longer have kids in the back seat, but I do have my life to think of.
So you speed just like the rest of us. 🤷♂️
Or how much increased enforcement was there during that time frame also?
Speeding is a ND trait due the long straight sections of two major interstates. Currently the speed limit is 75mph – so since the speeders are going 80 and 90 generally, there is bill in Legis. right now to increase the limit to 80! (When it passes the speeders will be able to go 85 to 95!! Net gain: ZERO! This is also in a state which failed the sobriety testing!
So you will have the one guy with the gps governor and every one else trying to get around him.
A detail is missing from this story: a few years ago the Washington state legislature moved to prevent police from pursuing speeders who choose not to stop unless the driver has an arrest warrant for a violent crime out on them. Speeders often refuse to stop and we frequently see cars blow past us as if we are barely moving, weaving in and out of lanes. We rarely saw this kind of flagrant violation before. Now the state has a reason to get more intrusive and restrictive, and it will spread to affect more and more drivers, all for the sake of protecting us.