Lifesaving bill SB 961 would reduce dangerous speeding with commonsense vehicle speed technology
Speeding kills. But there are solutions.
Every year, more than 1,000 Californians are killed in speeding-related traffic crashes. Tens of thousands are injured.
And the threat is growing, with the automobile industry is making bigger, heavier, more powerful vehicles than ever – with many accelerating to 60 MPH in just seconds.
But there are commonsense solutions to slow down drivers and save lives. One of these is Intelligent Speed Assistance, which uses advanced driver assistance (like when your car alerts you that someone is in your blind spot) to let drivers know they are speeding. This technology is now required in all European vehicles, supported by the majority of Americans, and recommended by both the National Transportation Safety Board and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
California can lead the way in saving lives from dangerous speeding by making Senate Bill 961 (Wiener) law. SB 961 would require all cars and trucks manufactured or sold in California (except emergency vehicles and motorcycles) to give an audio and visual alert to drivers when they’re going more than 10 MPH above the speed limit, starting in 2030.
The bill is supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Association of City Transportation Officials. The National Safety Council, and the American Automobile Association (AAA).
Back in the early 1960s, it was states – not the federal government – that first passed laws requiring seatbelts to be installed in all vehicles. No one would question this commonsense safety measure today, which is credited with saving more than 500,000 lives. Intelligent Speed Assistance is the seatbelt of 2024. But just like in the 1960s, the automobile industry does not want to change, even as it makes vehicles designed to go faster than ever. So despite the incredible potential of SB 961, passing this bill isn’t a slam dunk.
SB 961 was passed by the California legislature on August 30, and is now on Governor Newsom’s desk
SB 961 passed the Assembly 42-12 and the Senate 26-9. Now Governor Newsom must sign SB 961 (or at least not veto it) by September 30 for SB 961 to become law.
Please take just one minute to email Governor Newsom that he must stand up to the auto industry and protect people from dangerous speeding.
Why speeding is so dangerous
Speeding is the #1 cause of severe and fatal traffic crashes in California, killing around 1,000 people each year.
The faster a driver is going, the more likely a crash is to occur. A driver has a smaller scope of vision, less time to react, and can’t stop the vehicle as quickly. And the human body can’t withstand the additional force as speeds rise.
The most frequently cited study on speed and risk of fatality shows that at 25 MPH and under, a person has a less than 1 in 4 chance of being severely injured or killed if they are hit. But by 40 MPH, this flips, with 75% of pedestrians suffering life-threatening injuries or dying.
Intelligent Speed Assistance is proven saves lives
Europe has embraced Intelligent Speed Assistance in recent years. The European Transport Safety Council reports that Intelligent Speed Assistance could reduce road deaths by 20% across the European Union. Intelligent Speed Assistance is now required in all vehicles as of summer 2024.
In Europe, the effects on speeding have been dramatic, decreasing the amount of speeding and narrowing the speed distributions.
Walk SF and SB 961
Dangerous speeds kill again and again on San Francisco streets – and across California.
Walk SF is cosponsoring SB 961 and working hard to make this bill law. Bringing Intelligent Speed Assistance into California’s vehicle fleet would save untold lives and likely change the entire automobile industry.
Pedestrians are especially at risk when drivers go at dangerous speeds. Speeding also harms our communities, making streets unwelcoming for all ages and abilities to get around without fear.
With the support of our members, Walk SF launched its #SlowOurStreets campaign in 2020 to push for every possible speed solution.
Support Walk SF’s work to #SlowOurStreets with a donation today!