Latest news with #IntelligentSpeedAssistance
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Super Speeders are deadly. This technology can slow them down.
In 2013, Amy Cohen experienced the unthinkable for a parent. It was a mild October day in New York City and her 12-year-old son Sammy stopped by the house to grab a snack on his way from school to soccer practice. He didn't make it far. When he stepped out onto their street in Brooklyn, Sammy was struck and killed by a speeding van. 'It's a horror no parent should ever experience,' Cohen told Popular Science. 'No one should lose a child or a sibling or a spouse or a parent in this preventable public health crisis.' Cohen channeled her grief into advocacy, quickly becoming a leading voice for better public policy to address speeding drivers through a nonprofit called Families for Safe Streets. The organization now has more than 1,200 members nationwide, all of whom have a personal connection to a speeding-related death. Across the country, statistics show that a small portion of drivers who consistently drive too fast—a group referred to by advocates as 'super speeders'—are responsible for a sizable chunk of fatal traffic deaths. Now, nearly 15 years after her son's death, Cohen and her colleagues are leading a wave of legislation across the country aimed at giving judges the authority to mandate the installation of devices that physically prevent repeat offenders from exceeding posted speed limits. Earlier this week, Washington state became the second U.S. state—after Virginia—to pass a law requiring the installation of these speed-limiting devices in offenders' cars. At least five other states, including Cohen's home state of New York, are considering similar legislation. Supporters see a parallel between the proposed court-mandated speed limiters and the more widely known ignition interlock devices (or 'in-car breathalyzers') used for people convicted of driving under the influence. These newer devices, broadly referred to as 'Intelligent Speed Assistance' (ISA) systems, leverage advances in GPS and other technologies embedded in modern connected cars to apply a similar concept to speeding. And while the movement against so-called 'Super Speeders' is gaining momentum, some worry that mandatory ISA devices could introduce new, unintended safety risks. The legislation may also face an uphill battle in rural, lower-population states where driving—and driving fast—is deeply ingrained in daily life and culture. 'We're not saying we're taking away your vehicle,' Cohen told Popular Science. 'We're saying you need technology in your vehicle to stop you before you kill somebody.' Devices designed to limit a vehicle's top speed, sometimes referred to as governors or speed limiters, date back to the early-20th century. Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) systems differ in that they rely on a combination of the vehicle's current speed and the posted speed limit. These devices determine the legal speed limit using GPS data synced with a pre-programmed digital map, or by employing the vehicle's onboard cameras and LiDAR sensors to read speed limit signs in real time. Cameras and LiDAR are the same types of sensors used to help Waymo and other autonomous vehicles 'see' the world around them. Once an ISA system detects that a driver has exceeded the speed limit, it triggers various visual and audio cues, usually in the form of warning chimes and flashing dashboard lights. These systems are referred to as 'passive' ISA. All new vehicles sold in the European Union, as of last year, must have passive ISA systems. The 'active' ISA systems, which the Super Speeder legislation focuses on, go a step further by using tactile responses to push back on the accelerator or limit the engine's power output, physically preventing the driver from exceeding a certain speed. Judges or local governments can set thresholds for how far over the speed limit a driver can go before the system intervenes—typically around 5 mph above the posted limit. These devices are designed to detect changes in speed limits in advance, giving the driver time to slow down gradually. In theory, this should help avoid scenarios where a vehicle suddenly slams on the brakes upon entering an area with a lower speed limit. New proposed legislation across U.S. states takes ISA technology into new legal territory by eliminating—or strictly limiting—certain drivers' ability to simply ignore ISA warnings. Virginia, which became the first state to pass such a law earlier this year, will give judges the legal authority to mandate that drivers convicted of reckless driving install an active ISA device in their vehicle. The legislation frames this as a possible alternative to incarceration or a full suspension of driving privileges. 'You're still allowed to get around,' Cohen told Popular Science. 'You're still allowed to go to your place of work and go wherever you have to go. You just have to do it safely.' Anyone found tampering with the device as part of a court sentence could face up to an additional year of jail time. The Virginia law is set to take effect in July 2026. Washington D.C. passed its own similar law several months earlier. 'This is a proven way to make for absolute certain that these repeat offenders won't be able to speed,' Virginia House Delegate Patrick A. Hope, who was involved in pushing forward the state's bill, said in a recent webinar. 'If we can take speeding out of the equation then we can save lives.' Other municipalities appear poised to follow suit. New York, Maryland, Georgia, and Arizona, are all currently debating legislation that would give judges the authority to mandate ISA devices for certain drivers. The specifics vary by location. In New York, for example, a judge would order an ISA installation for a driver who has accumulated six speeding or red-light camera violations in one year, or 11 points on their license over two years. The recently passed Washington state law, by contrast, would apply to drivers who have had their license suspended for going more than 20 mph over the posted speed limit or for participating in street racing. 'This is a very targeted, effective, data driven approach that has gotten even more support than we expected so quickly,' Cohen said. Advocates say ISA devices, particularly those targeted toward alleged reckless drivers, could make streets significantly safer for both motorists and pedestrians. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 11,775 people died in speed-related crashes last year. Speeding, the agency says, was a 'contributing factor' in 29 percent of all traffic fatalities. There's reason to believe the issue is getting worse too. Research shows drivers across the country started speeding more during the earlier stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. Jessica Cicchino, vice president of research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, believes some drivers may be tempted to drive faster due to 'empty roads' driving during lockdowns. But that habit seems to have lingered even when traffic increased. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) claims speeding-related fatalities in the US reached a 14-year high in 2021. 'Information collected since the lockdowns ended and the roads filled back up suggests that risky driving has become the new normal,' Cicchino said Though it's difficult to predict the broader impact of widespread ISA installation, researchers from the European Transport Safety Council (which supports the technology) estimates that it could potentially reduce collisions by 30 percent and decrease carbon emissions from internal combustion engine vehicles by 8 percent. A more targeted, New York pilot program, where ISA devices were installed on 50 fleet vehicles, reportedly resulted in a 36 percent reduction in potentially dangerous hard-braking events. The fleet reportedly achieved these reductions without delays in delivery times. 'This pilot helped ensure almost all drivers with this technology in their cars complied with local speed laws—undoubtedly making our city safer,' New York mayor Eric Adams said in a statement. Those in favor of judge-mandated ISA devices point to in-car breathalyzers as a historical analogue. These court-ordered 'ignition interlock devices' were first introduced in Colorado in 1985 and require drivers convicted of driving under the influence to blow into a device and register a legal blood alcohol concentration before they can start their car. Today, 31 states require court-mandated breathalyzers for certain offenders. Though itself a form of punishment, the breathalyzers were also pitched as a compromise to prevent people from losing their driving privileges entirely—something that can be devastating in a country where driving is often essential for work and daily life. Supporters say ISA devices serve a similar function. Some of the most vocal advocates of alcohol-related driving reforms—like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)—are now also actively pushing for mandatory ISA. But the technology also has plenty of critics. Some opponents of the Virginia law argue that the inability to temporarily exceed the speed limit could create dangers in certain scenarios, like when a driver is suddenly confronted with a tailgater. There are also emergency situations, like rushing to a hospital due to an injury or pregnancy, or quickly avoiding a potential collision, where it would seem reasonable to allow a driver to momentarily exceed the posted speed limit at their discretion. Some proposed state legislation, like the one in Washington, attempts to side step this by including a big red button that drivers could press up to three times per month to override their mandatory ISA system. Cohen told Popular Science that the button is 'completely configurable' and can be programmed to only allow a certain amount of uses over a certain amount of time. There's also a question of jurisdiction, which California Governor Gavin Newsom mentioned when he vetoed a passive ISA bill last year. Drivers often cross back and forth between state lines. Would a speed limiter mandated for a driver in New York still work when they crossed over to a state-run New Jersey road? If some of this sounds sparse in details, it's because it kind of is. States that have passed mandatory ISA laws have given themselves around a year before enacting the law in order to iron out the specifics around how the devices will be used. There are also more historical and deeply rooted societal factors that could present hurdles for national ISA efforts. In his book Killed By a Traffic Engineer, University of Colorado Denver professor Wes Marshall argues that countless decisions made by city planners—from road size and street walkability to mediocre driver education requirements—all contribute to the U.S.' dangerous traffic environment. Local governments, he adds, have actually had the ability to limit vehicle speeds for decades. Some cities and states did just that for newer, short-distance Lime and Bird electric scooters, but not for cars. 'We could use geofencing to limit car speeds within cities, or certain parts of cities, or even by time of day or day of week such as when schools or bars let out,' Marshall writes. 'Doing so would save lives. We choose not to.' Drivers across the country also tend to push for higher speeds when given the opportunity. One stretch of highway connecting Austin and Seguin, Texas, currently allows drivers to reach 85 mph. Ironically, Marshall notes in his book, many drivers associate speed not with danger, but with a greater sense of control. America's need for speed has deep cultural roots as well. The 12 Fast and Furious movies have collectively bought in $7 billion over their lifetimes—that's more than the combined GDP of Greenland and Belize. 'For whatever reason, most drivers don't make the connection between speed and bad safety outcomes,' Marshall adds. Cohen pushed back on some of those points, noting that other countries like Canada and Australia, which share many of the same psychological and cultural traits as the United States, have taken much swifter action to pass laws aimed at reducing traffic deaths. In other words, reducing speeding-related fatalities is a solvable problem. 'The data shows how dangerous these drivers are, and we are just saying they need to put the technology in their car and change their behavior,' Cohen said. 'It's all policy.'
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
WA bill would require ‘egregious speeders' to install speed-limiting device in vehicles
A Washington state bill expected to be signed into law next week would require certain drivers convicted of excessive speeding to install a device in their vehicles that allows the state to monitor and control their speed. House Bill 1596, which has passed both the House and Senate, is scheduled to be signed into law Monday. The legislation targets 'egregious speeders,' such as repeat offenders and reckless drivers. State Rep. Mari Leavitt, the bill's primary sponsor, said the legislation was created after a deadly crash in Renton in 2024 involving a 17-year-old driver who sped through an intersection, colliding with another vehicle and killing a mother and three children. Two other children were injured. 'These are targeted to the most egregious speeders—think repeat offenders,' Leavitt said. 'It's a proven technology that's been used in a lot of different areas, including Europe, and the data shows it slows people down—literally and figuratively—because you simply can't go faster than it allows.' The legislation would require individuals to install an Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) device if they have been convicted of reckless driving or have at least three moving violations, including one for speeding. The device limits the vehicle's speed and reports data to authorities. The Washington State Department of Licensing would oversee the program, which aims to reduce serious crashes by giving law enforcement and the courts a new tool to prevent dangerous driving behavior. 'It seems like a good idea,' said Sid Santiano, a local worker. 'The faster you go, the harder it is to avoid people. It's better to keep people capped if they're trying to speed somewhere.' Not everyone agrees. Ethan Cramer, who said he also opposes speeding, believes the bill doesn't address the root cause. 'The government should have no control over our personal property,' Cramer said. 'It doesn't stop someone from stealing another car and speeding again. Punishing offenders appropriately the first time would be a smarter approach.' Drivers required to use the ISA who are caught operating a vehicle without the device could face up to $5,000 in fines and potential jail time, Leavitt said. 'There will be consequences—pretty severe consequences—if they choose to drive without a speed limiter,' she said. 'And it applies to any vehicle they drive, not just their own.' If the bill is signed into law, it's expected to take effect no later than January 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.'
Scotsman
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Scotsman
70 per cent of Scottish drivers believe car technology will reduce collisions
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now From self-driving cars, electric vehicles, blind spot detection, ISA technology and more, the automotive industry is always looking for the next major upgrade. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... From self-driving cars, electric vehicles, blind spot detection, ISA technology and more, the automotive industry is always looking for the next major upgrade. Car technology has also developed further ways of improving road safety and safer driving practice. A new study on car safety by law firm Slater and Gordon found that 70 per cent of Scottish drivers agree that car technology is a major factor in reducing car collisions. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With car technology becoming more normalised on Scotland's roads, drivers are becoming more familiar with technological features that can contribute to car safety. However, are we becoming too complacent and depending on our vehicles to ensure we get from A to B safely? A new study on car safety by law firm Slater and Gordon found that 70 per cent of Scottish drivers agree that car technology is a major factor in reducing car collisions. For example, ISA, Intelligent Speed Assistance, has been available since 2015 and is mandatory in all new cars sold in the EU from 2022. ISA provides drivers with a speed limit detection in their car system, encouraging drivers to stay within local speed limits. ISA systems use a combination of speed map data and satellite global positioning to recognise the necessary data. The research revealed that although 60 per cent of Scottish drivers would feel comfortable driving a car with ISA, almost two thirds of Scottish drivers are not familiar with the technology and what it specifically means as a feature in cars, highlighting the need for greater awareness of its life-saving potential. Stuart Cochran, Principal Lawyer and Head of Personal Injury at Slater and Gordon, adds: 'There are many car technologies available now that play a key part in ensuring safer roads and safer driving, such as ISA technology. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It's fair to say we are still in the early stages of adoption with the new UK policy only being introduced last year. However, as the data shows, there is optimism around its potential for creating safer roads, and the main priority for the next few years is to make sure drivers are aware of why these car technologies are in place, so they can feel truly comfortable when they do use cars with these systems in the future. 'In my experience of supporting clients who have been involved in car collisions, speeding is sadly all too often a factor in causing these. 'Whilst the development of car technologies is a positive one and another step in the right direction for reducing car collisions, it is something we can't depend on solely. It still remains a responsibility that all drivers must keep vigilant.'
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
Teen pleads guilty to vehicular homicide in 112 mph crash that killed three children and a mother
Chase Jones, the then 18-year-old who caused the crash that killed four people and injured two others in Renton on March 19, 2024, pled guilty to four counts of vehicular homicide and two counts of vehicular assault on Thursday. Jones, now 19 years old, was driving at 112 miles per hour when he crashed into a van, killing three children and a mother. The victims were Eloise Wilcoxson, 12, Buster B. Brown, 12, and Matilda Wilcoxson, 13, and Andrea Hudson, 38. Andrea Hudson's two children, Nolan and Charlotte Hudson, survived the crash but have sustained life-changing injuries, a representative from the King County Court said. Jones will be sentenced on April 25, but his final sentence will be up to a judge's decision. The standard minimum sentence for this category of felony is 17.5 to 23.3 years, according to the King County Courts. In the wake of the crash, Washington lawmakers have drafted legislation to address accountability for dangerous driving. HB 1596, known as the Andrea Smith Hudson Act, passed in the House and would mandate Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) devices to regulate the speed of those with a history of speeding. The devices would limit a driver from going more than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit, according to a bill report. 'There are no words to express the grief, the pain that we feel. Four bright lights are missing from the world and it feels cold and dark,' said Chase Wilcoxson, the father of two children killed following the crash. 'The wounds that we feel will eventually heal, but the scars will remain for the rest of our lives,' he said.
