Speed limiters are being installed in cars of offenders who refuse to follow driving laws. Reckless driving has reached an all-time high, with many experienced drivers choosing to disregard rules and exceed the limits, resulting in accidents. Now, it was time for the state of Washington to act and use this tool that caps the vehicle’s top speed using a GPS and other integrated system features. Ultimately, it reduces the chances of a serious crash, but if the speed is already high for it to be activated, authorities might want to rethink the licenses of certain drivers.
States are attempting to prevent accidents: New bills are being introduced
New bills are being created and implemented almost every month in 2025. These measures are aimed at preventing reckless driving that could cause damage to other people beyond the driver, as well as public structures. The use of handheld devices is among the reasons why most accidents happen, and Washington is already joining the nationwide trend to ban their use.
Meanwhile, when it comes to other infractions, the state is taking matters into their own hands and it’s implementing this harsh measure. If successful, other states could also create their own version of the bill to put it into effect. Virginia was the first state to approve this type of legislation. After that, George quickly followed the trend. After that, George quickly followed the trend, and now Washington is becoming the role model for other states looking for ways to make their streets a safer place.
Washington is getting GPS speed limiters: Infractors will slow down for good
Governor Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 1596 into law, according to the BEAM Act in Washington State House Democrats’ official website. Soon, Washington drivers caught going way over the limit will have to install the limiter if they want their license back. The system was tested at the Capitol. It’s similar to the breath-test locks used for DUIs, but instead of checking alcohol levels, it tracks the car’s speed through GPS and caps it.
Drivers get three monthly chances to bypass the limiter, but that’s it. Both parties pushed it through after 2023 turned into the deadliest year on Washington roads in more than three decades, with speeding behind a third of those deaths.
The reason why the bill was created: Historical accidents named the law
The law is named for four people killed last year near Renton: Boyd Buster Brown, Eloise Wilcoxson, Andrea Smith Hudson, and Matilda Wilcoxson (and Hawaii also changed their laws also because of a fatal accident). The driver who hit them had already been in two other crashes just months before. He’s now serving 17 years for four counts of vehicular homicide.
Other states might not be far behind. Europe already made limiters standard in every new car, but the U.S. is late to the party. The system was tested at the Capitol. Pennsylvania is busy with phone bans, Virginia is testing gadgets, and D.C. put in its own “speed governor” rule for repeat offenders last year.
California might be next: The governor doesn’t like the idea
California nearly joined them, but Gavin Newsom vetoed the bill. Washington’s law is blunt: 20 miles over on bigger roads, or just 10 over on smaller ones, and it counts as excessive speed. Anyone with that record has to drive with a limiter for 120 days once they get their license back. For reckless drivers, it’s 150 days. Skip the device and get caught? That’s another 30 days added on. Soon, there will be no way out for offenders – and especially no room for reckless driving. On the other hand, educating veteran drivers is always difficult (that’s why states are betting in other forms of prevention: books).