A number of states are have passed laws for mandating the use of a speed limiter, that might be installed in the same type of program as an alcohol ignition interlock device. And this may prove to be a new service that car audio installers can offer.
The new laws give judges an alternative in sentencing repeat excessive speeders. Instead of taking away someone’s driver license (preventing them from traveling to work and supporting their families) they can mandate a speed limiter be installed professionally in their car for a given term.
The first state to enact mandatory use of speed limiters was Virginia, as of July 1, joining the district of Washington, DC, that came aboard last year. But another seven states have passed similar laws that go into effect over the next few years.
New York’s law takes effect January 1, 2027 followed by Arizona’s law July 1, 2027. Illinois, Georgia, and Maryland passed laws that take effect in 2028, to be followed by Washington State’s program starting January 1, 2029. Hawaii’s effective date is still to be determined, according to Families For Safe Streets.
Other states have introduced similar legislation including California, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont and Wisconsin. Connecticut and Florida are also considering similar legislation, The laws fall under the name of Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) Programs.
The speed limiters for the ISA programs are GPS enabled devices. In the case of Virginia, they are offered by IID suppliers LifeSafer and Smart Start.
As far as installers are concerned In the case of Virginia, those already installing Life Safer and Smart Start alcohol ignition interlocks may be eligible to install the speed limiters, said a Life Safer spokesperson, speaking only for that company’s devices. The speed limiters are easier to install than the interlock devices and the installer gets approximately $150 per install, said the spokesperson.
In the state of Virginia, the device must be checked every 60 days. When checked, the device shows how fast the vehicle traveled relative to the posted speed limit. Tampering with the device or bypassing it is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Once installed, the Speed Limiter follows the posted speed limit of the road and restricts the vehicle from surpassing it, said NBC Washington. The speed limiter can use a combination of GPS data, digital speed maps, and camera-based speed sign recognition.
In Virginia, if a speeder is mandated under the new law, they must enroll in the program within 10 days of the court or DMV order and the device must be installed within 15 days of the order. The Virginia program is administered by the state under the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP).
LifeSafer said its device may also be used on a voluntary basis at the request of parents of teens, for example or by fleet operators, as following the speed limit saves gas and prevents accidents.
Intoxalock does not yet have a speed limiter. CEO of its parent company Mindr, Kathy Boden told us, “…We have been exploring the intelligent speed assist market since the beginning of my tenure as CEO. We believe that the technology can play an important and appropriate role in our national approach to road safety. I believe that Mindr can be an important part of the solution if we enter the market, as we would bring the largest network of service providers, the strongest consumer-first approach, and a history of innovation.”
