Move over, foot-to-the-pedal daredevils of Washington US, because state lawmakers have cooked up a potential buzzkill for your Need for Speed fantasies. Enter House Bill 1596: a proposed law that would install “intelligent speed assistance devices” (yes, Big Brother has entered your car) in vehicles of habitual speeders. If passed, say goodbye to “accidentally” cruising 20 mph over the limit, and hello to a full-time GPS babysitter. It’s like having your mom in the passenger seat forever, but with tech doing the scolding instead of passive-aggressive sighs.
So, what is the deal with this speed-limit-locking gadget? Using GPS technology, these devices cap your speed to the legal limit of the area. For those serial fast and furious types out there, the state would kindly throw you a bone: you’d get three chances per month to “accidentally” surpass the speed limit—because apparently, they believe even speedsters deserve second (and third) chances. Think of it like a DMV loyalty card, except instead of coffee, you’re earning points for fewer speeding tickets.
This proposal stems from some grim data: according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, speeding is a factor in one of every three fatal crashes statewide. Fatal collisions involving speeding have been climbing since 2019, much like the adrenaline spikes of the speeders themselves. To make matters worse (or scarier), citations for drivers caught speeding 50 mph or more over the limit shot up by 200% between 2019 and 2024. Clearly, lead-foot addiction is on the rise .
The bill had its debut in the House Transportation Committee and is already generating buzz. Rep. Mari Leavitt, one of the sponsors, pulled no punches: “These aren’t accidents, they’re intentional choices of behavior harming and often killing folks.” She cited tragic cases like that of Andrea Smith, who lost her life, along with three children, when they were struck by a speeding driver reportedly traveling 100 mph with a track record of reckless driving. Stories like these have fueled a sense of urgency among lawmakers and families seeking justice, with victims’ families demanding new consequences for would-be road racers. “When is this going to stop?” asked Ted Smith, Andrea’s father, during testimony.
But not everyone is on board with the rollout of this tech-based intervention. Critics, such as Republican State Rep. Gloria Mendoza, argue that these measures offer habitual speeders a free pass, letting them back on the streets with what she sees as a glorified hall pass. “[We’re] trying to help them get back their license by giving them this tool,” she said. “So how is this helping save lives?” Leavitt’s counter? People are already breaking the law, so this program ensures they do it less often (and less dangerously) by slapping a limiter on their behavior.
Here’s how this could play out in practice: Much like DUI ignition interlocks—devices that prevent your car from starting if you fail a breathalyzer test—speed limiters would be slapped onto cars of drivers with speed-related license suspensions. If you’re caught racing or going 20 mph over the limit, boom, you’re now the proud owner of your very own mobile parole officer. Courts could also mandate the device for chronic offenders during probation periods. Yes, it’s humiliating, but hey, you still get to drive. Call it a consolation prize for bad decisions.
For lawmakers like Leavitt, it’s about striking a balance: “We want to find a way for [offenders] to drive lawfully, but safely… because they’re driving anyway.” In fairness, she’s got a point. With an estimated 18-year-old floor-it enthusiast wiping out a family, the stakes seem too high to leave unchecked.
The bill isn’t law yet, though. Currently stuck in legislative limbo, it awaits a vote out of committee. Whether or not it becomes official, its introduction raises larger questions: at what point does public safety outweigh personal freedoms? And more importantly, what happens when car enthusiasts start printing bumper stickers like, “My Other GPS Lets Me Speed”?
If this passes, Washington speedsters may have to learn to love the sound of moderation, or at least find a new excuse when friends ask why they’re crawling below 40 in a Tesla. Maybe, “It’s not me, it’s my car,” will suffice. Also, if passed will it expand to other states and beyond?
