Latest news with #BEAMAct
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Washington to become one of first states to require speed limiters for serial speeders
PORTLAND, Ore. () — Washington will become one of the first states to require speed-limiting devices in the vehicles of serial speeders. Gov. Bob Ferguson signed into law on Monday. Starting in 2029, the legislation will implement 'intelligent speed assistance' devices for drivers who are issued a temporarily restricted license after previously having it suspended due to excessive speed. Ethics commission considers higher fine for former OLCC leader involved in bourbon scandal Legislators define 'excessive speed' as more than 10 miles per hour above a speed limit fewer than 40 mph, and more than 20 mph above a speed limit greater than 40 mph. Furthermore, HB 1596 applies for individuals with more than three moving traffic violations in a one-year period and more than four violations in a two-year period. The law is referred to as the BEAM Act, who died in a Renton crash last year: Buster B. Brown, Eloise Wilcoxson, Andrea Smith Hudson and Matilda Wilcoxson. 'What's behind this bill is, of course, a really simple goal — which is to save lives,' at the bill-signing ceremony. 'And so that the folks that are here with me — who suffered the most awful loss possible — that they are inspired to work with our legislative leaders to really get this legislation in its first year across the finish line so that no other family has to go through what they've all gone through.' According to the bill text, more than 30% of deadly Washington crashes in 2023 involved speeding drivers and more than 70% of suspended drivers in the U.S. continue to drive during their suspension. Oregon housing bill 'strips away the rights' of first time homebuyers The new legislation makes it so the assistance devices are programmed to limit a vehicle's speed to the established speed limit in a certain area, although the drivers would be able to exceed the limit up to three times each month. Anyone who attempts to tamper with the device would be hit with a misdemeanor. Virginia became the first state to approve similar legislation earlier this year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
WA Gov. signs law requiring speed limiting devices for habitual speeders
The Brief Washington's new law, signed by Governor Bob Ferguson, mandates speed limiting devices for drivers with a history of excessive speeding or reckless driving, aiming to reduce fatal accidents. The "intelligent speed assistance" device uses GPS to prevent cars from exceeding posted speed limits, a measure inspired by tragic crashes, including a fatal incident in King County last March. The BEAM Act, effective January 2029, is driven by families affected by speeding-related fatalities, emphasizing the technology's potential to save lives by curbing habitual speeding. OLYMPIA, Wash. - Washington is going full speed ahead in stopping habitual speeders, as the governor signed a bill into law Monday to require speed limiting devices for drivers with a history of excessive speeding. "What's behind this bill is, of course, a really simple goal, which is to save lives," said Governor Bob Ferguson before he signed House Bill 1596 into law. Under the bill, a person would have an "intelligent speed assistance" device installed in their car after getting their license suspended for reckless driving or excessive speeding, or if they have been ordered to have a device by a court. Dig deeper The device uses GPS technology to limit the car's acceleration so it cannot go above the posted speed limit in the area it is currently in. Prime sponsor Rep. Mari Leavitt, D-University Place, said she did not understand how the device worked until she tested it out for herself. "If I'm in a 25 (mile per hour) residential area, and I want to go past 35 or 34 or 30, depending on how it's set, I literally can't do it. I can push my foot on the pedal as hard as I want to and I just can't," she said. "It truly is technology that will save lives because it stops speeders in their tracks," she added. Leavitt said the law is necessary to curb a troubling increase in fatal accidents. According to state data, fatal crashes have been on an upward trend since 2019 with a growing number of them involving speeding. "We're trying to save our neighbors from losing a loved one, or a parent from losing a child or a child from losing a parent," Leavitt said. Why you should care The bill, called "The BEAM Act," was driven, in part, by a crash in King County last March that killed 38-year-old Andrea Smith Hudson, 12-year-old Boyd "Buster" Brown, 12-year-old Eloise Wilcoxson and 13-year-old Matilda Wilcoxson. The crash also sent Hudson's two children to the hospital with severe injuries. Chase Jones, 18-years-old at the time, was accused of causing the crash by driving well over 100-miles-an-hour in a 40-mile-per-hour zone. Court documents also showed he had a history of speeding, with the 2024 accident marking the third vehicle he had totaled in a crash involving speed. Jones pleaded guilty to four counts of vehicular homicide and two counts of vehicular assault, and was sentenced to over 17 years in prison last month. What they're saying "In our situation, four lives could've been saved with this technology," said Hudson's father, Ted Smith. Smith said he thought the bill was a "no brainer," but would take years to make it into law. The families forever changed by the 2024 crash were relieved to see positive change come from tragedy. "It's a horrific situation, there's no words. The lives lost is incalculable," Smith said. "I don't know how you move forward, except just put one step in front of the other and try to make our streets safer any way that we can." Leavitt credited the bill's success to the countless loved ones affected by speeding-related fatal crashes. "It's the family members who got us to this day," she said. "They're the ones who were willing to share their story over and over and over again." The BEAM Act goes into effect in January 2029. Albert James is a television reporter covering state government as part of the Murrow News Fellowship program – a collaborative effort between news outlets statewide and Washington State University. The Source Information in this story comes from original reporting by Murrow News Fellow Albert James. Foods recalled for listeria sold in WA WA Gov. Ferguson to sign reckless speeding bill Military vehicle crashes over I-90 wall in Bellevue, WA Triplet siblings of murdered Idaho student graduate without him Park safety top of mind as confusion surrounds Seattle nude beach New area code coming to Seattle area in June. What to know WA's first In-N-Out gets closer to opening date To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Ferguson signs bill to require speed-limiting devices for habitual speeders in Washington
May 12—OLYMPIA — Some of the state's most habitual speeders will soon be required to install speed-limiting devices in their car. Gov. Bob Ferguson signed legislation Monday requiring intelligent speed assistance devices for drivers whose licenses have been suspended due to reckless or excessive speeding starting in 2029. The bill, known as the BEAM Act, is named after the four victims who died in a crash in Renton in March 2024: Andrea Hudson, 38; Boyd Buster Brown, 12; Matilda Wilcoxson, 13; and 12-year-old Eloise Wilcoxson. An 18-year-old driver, who had reportedly been involved in three high-speed collisions within the 11 months before the crash, ran through a stoplight at 118 mph before striking a minivan. The driver, Chase Jones, pleaded guilty to four counts of vehicular homicide and two counts of vehicular assault, and last month, was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison. "What's behind this bill, of course, is just a really simple goal to save lives," Ferguson said Monday. According to bill sponsor Rep. Mari Leavitt, D-University Place, the crash is part of a concerning trend. In 2022, 29% of crash fatalities occurred when at least one of the drivers was speeding. Between 2019 and 2023, fatal crashes involving a speeding driver increased by 40% in Washington, according to Leavitt. Over the same period, speeding tickets for motorists driving more than 50 mph have increased by 200%. According to Leavitt, there were 810 traffic deaths in Washington in that same period, a 9% increase from the prior year, with excessive speed contributing to 251 of the incidents. "This bill's really about saving lives, similar to the ignition interlock program," Leavitt said of the devices that prevent driving under the influence offenders from driving drunk. "The successful ignition interlock program is really patterned for those who are the disproportionate of the folks who are causing fatal crashes and injuries across our state." In March, Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste attributed the increases in traffic infractions to bad behaviors developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when traffic drastically increased. As more drivers returned to the road, some have kept the bad habits they developed. In Washington, a driver can have their license suspended if they receive three or more moving violation infractions within one year or four or more within two years. However, many drivers simply don't comply with the suspension. According to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, an estimated 75% of suspended drivers continue to drive during this period. The legislation, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2029, will require drivers whose license was previously suspended due to reckless or excessive speeding to equip their vehicle with an intelligent speed assistance device. The device operates similarly to the ignition interlock device used by repeat DUI offenders and uses GPS to restrict a driver to the posted speed limit. Similar legislation was recently signed into law in Virginia and is currently under discussion in Georgia and New York, among other states. The bill received broad bipartisan support in both the House and Senate during the legislative session, and Ferguson noted Monday that it was signed into law during the first year it was proposed. "We cannot bring back those we've lost, but we can take meaningful steps to stop this from happening again," Leavitt said in a statement. "This bill sends a clear message: safety on our roads matters, and we will do everything in our power to protect our communities."
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Washington to rein in fast drivers with speed limiters
A speed limiter device like the ones that will be required for repeat speeding offenders under a Washington law signed on May 12, 2025. The law doesn't take effect until 2029. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard) In a few years, with the help of technology, prolific speeders in Washington won't be able to drive as fast as they want. Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday signed House Bill 1596 into law, requiring a new speed-limiting device as a condition to getting a restricted driver's license after getting it suspended for reckless driving or excessive speeding. Judges can also require the speed limiters as a condition of pre-trial release or post-conviction probation. The tech, shown at a demonstration at the Capitol on Monday, is similar to ignition interlock devices that require people with histories of drunk driving to blow into a breathalyzer to show their blood alcohol concentration before they can start the car. These new devices use GPS to restrict speed to the posted limit. Under the legislation, drivers could override the limiter three times per month. The bill received bipartisan support in the Legislature as the state aims to turn the tide on traffic deaths after reaching a 33-year high in 2023. Of the 809 deaths that year, a third involved speeding drivers. 'What's behind this bill is a really simple goal, which is to save lives,' Ferguson said. The new law is known as the BEAM Act, named after four people killed in a crash last year with a speeding driver near Renton: Boyd Buster Brown, Eloise Wilcoxson, Andrea Smith Hudson and Matilda Wilcoxson. Last month, a judge sentenced the driver in the case to 17½ years in prison after he pleaded guilty to four counts of vehicular homicide in the high-speed crash. The driver was held up as an example of someone who would've needed to install a speed limiter. In the prior 10 months, he had reportedly been involved in two crashes in which his speeding was a factor. Before signing the BEAM Act, the governor met with families of those killed in that crash and others who are pushing for stronger traffic safety measures. 'It's the family members who got us to this day,' said prime sponsor Rep. Mari Leavitt, D-University Place. 'They're the ones who were willing to share their story over and over again.' In Europe, new vehicles are required to have intelligent speed assistance technology installed. But in the United States, the speed limiter idea is new. Last month, Virginia became the first state to enact such legislation, requiring intelligent speed assistance devices for drivers convicted of going over 100 mph. Georgia quickly followed, with a bill awaiting the governor's signature. Last year, Washington, D.C. approved a 'speed governor' requirement for repeat offenders. Lawmakers in several other states have also considered the requirement. In California last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a measure requiring passive speed limiters. Washington's legislation defines excessive speeding as 20 mph above speed limits over 40 mph, or 10 mph above speed limits under that threshold. If a driver has a history of moving violations, including excessive speeding, they would have to use an intelligent speed assistance device for 120 days after getting their license back from a suspension. In reckless driving cases, that rises to 150 days. Driving without one during this probationary period would be a traffic infraction that could add 30 days to a license suspension. Tampering with the device is a gross misdemeanor. Drivers would have to pay to install and remove the speed limiter, and an additional $21 per month. That monthly fee would go to the state Department of Licensing to offset the costs for low-income people who need the devices but can't afford them. The legislation doesn't go into effect until Jan. 1, 2029.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Washington eyes speed-limiting tech for reckless drivers after Renton crash kills 4
Lawmakers in Washington state are moving to require GPS-based speed-limiting devices for repeat traffic offenders, using the case of a teen driver who caused a fatal high-speed crash in Renton as a powerful example. The technology, known as Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA), prevents vehicles from exceeding the posted speed limit by using GPS to track location and adjust speed accordingly. An override button may be included for emergencies, but any use of it can be reported to authorities. The move comes amid a national push to curb excessive speeding, which has contributed to a rise in traffic fatalities across the country. Washington joins a growing list of jurisdictions — including Virginia, Washington, D.C., and potentially California and New York — considering laws to mandate or allow ISA devices for the most dangerous drivers. In March 2024, Chase Daniel Jones, 19, was driving 112 mph when he ran a red light and crashed into a minivan in Renton, killing 38-year-old Andrea Hudson and three children she was transporting for a homeschool co-op: Boyd 'Buster' Brown, 12; Eloise Wilcoxson, 12; and Matilda Wilcoxson, 13. Hudson's two children survived with serious injuries. Jones had totaled two other cars in the year before the fatal crash. Although he had no speeding citations on his record, he told authorities he was 'addicted to speed.' A King County judge sentenced Jones to more than 17 years in prison and imposed a unique condition: when Jones is released and becomes eligible to drive again, he must use a speed-limiting device in his vehicle. Washington state lawmakers recently passed the BEAM Act — named after the four Renton crash victims — which would allow or require courts to impose ISA technology on high-risk drivers whose licenses are reinstated. Gov. Bob Ferguson is expected to sign it into law. Rep. Mari Leavitt, who sponsored the bill, said it offers a solution for curbing extreme speeding behavior that license suspensions alone don't address. Studies show that many people continue to drive illegally after having their licenses revoked. 'I guess I don't understand why someone is compelled to want to drive that fast,' Leavitt said. 'But if they choose to drive that fast with the speed limiter, they can't. It's going to stop them in their tracks.' Between 2019 and 2024, the number of Washington drivers cited for going more than 50 mph over the speed limit increased by 200%, according to the state's Traffic Safety Commission. Several companies, including Grapevine, Texas-based Smart Start and Cincinnati-based LifeSafer, are working with lawmakers to expand ISA use. The technology has already been tested in school buses and government fleets in Washington, D.C. Officials say improvements in satellite coverage have made real-time speed detection more reliable. The devices are expected to cost about $4 per day, plus a $100 installation fee, though reduced rates may be available for low-income offenders. Amy Cohen, who co-founded the advocacy group Families for Safe Streets after her son was killed by a speeding driver, supports the adoption of speed-limiting technology nationwide. 'When you are going a few miles slower, there's more time to stop,' Cohen said. 'And when you hit somebody, it's much less likely to be deadly.'
