California’s SB 961 Speed-Alert Law: Another Step Closer

California’s Senate Bill 961 (SB 961), introduced by Senator Scott Wiener, is making its way through the legislative process. This bill is designed to make driving safer by requiring new cars and trucks sold in California to have a system that warns drivers when they are speeding.

What Is SB 961?

SB 961 aims to reduce the number of traffic deaths in California by requiring all new vehicles, including passenger cars, trucks, and buses, to have a passive intelligent speed assistance (ISA) system starting in 2030. The system will alert drivers if they are going more than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit. Senator Wiener, who sponsored the bill, highlights that speeding is a major cause of traffic fatalities, which have been on the rise in California. The state saw a 22% increase in traffic deaths from 2019 to 2022​.

How the Speed-Alert System Works

The speed-alert system uses GPS or a front-facing camera to determine the speed limit on the road. If the driver goes more than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit, the system gives a quick visual and audio warning. This system is not designed to stop the car from speeding but to remind the driver to slow down.

There are some exceptions to this rule. Trucks that weigh more than 8,500 pounds and are already subject to federal speed regulations are not required to have the system. Also, cars without GPS or a front-facing camera, as well as emergency vehicles, are exempt from this requirement. 

Changes Made to SB 961

Originally, SB 961 required all cars and trucks to have speed governors that would automatically prevent vehicles from going more than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit. However, after concerns were raised, the bill was changed to only require a passive ISA system that alerts drivers but does not limit the vehicle’s speed.

The current version of the bill allows car manufacturers to offer different types of warnings, such as repeated alerts if the driver continues to speed. This flexibility is intended to make the system more effective without being too intrusive.

Who Supports and Opposes SB 961?

SB 961 has strong support from safety groups, such as the California Bicycle Coalition and Walk SF. These groups believe that reducing vehicle speeds will help prevent accidents and save lives. They point out that being hit by a car traveling at 35 mph is much more deadly than being hit at 20 mph. For this reason, they support the bill as a step toward making California’s roads safer.

On the other hand, some industry groups, including the California Trucking Association and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, oppose the bill. They argue that allowing individual states to set their own vehicle safety standards could create a confusing mix of rules across the country. They are also concerned about the potential increase in vehicle costs due to the new requirements, which could be especially hard on lower-income families.

What Happens Next?

SB 961 has already passed in the Senate and several Assembly committees. It now awaits a vote in the full Assembly. If it passes there, it will go back to the Senate for final approval before heading to the Governor’s desk.

California is taking a big step with SB 961 to improve road safety. The bill shows the state’s commitment to using new technology to reduce speeding and prevent traffic deaths. Whether the bill becomes law will be decided soon, but its journey so far has already sparked important discussions about how to make driving safer for everyone.