Arizona Bill Proposes Speed Limit Devices for Repeat Speeding Offenders

In a move aimed at addressing excessive speeding and racing, the Arizona House Judiciary Committee has taken significant steps by advancing a bill that could reshape how traffic offenses are handled. Instead of facing a license suspension or revocation, drivers convicted of such offenses might soon choose to have a speed suppression device installed in their vehicles.

This innovative approach leverages GPS technology to automatically limit a vehicle’s speed according to the area’s legal speed limits, providing an alternative to traditional penalties. The duration of the device’s application would vary based on the severity of the offense, offering a tailored approach to traffic regulation.

The financial responsibility for the speed inhibitor, including its installation, would fall on the offenders. They would have the autonomy to decide between this option and having their driving privileges revoked. Kevin De Menna, representing the Intelligent Speed Assistance Coalition, emphasized the voluntary nature of this proposal, stating, “The most important thing to emphasize at this point is that this is an option.”

De Menna further highlighted the benefits for those who rely on their vehicles for work, noting, “For those on limited incomes or simply dependent on their job, the ability to get there and back is critical, so this fills that void. The idea is to give drivers an option.”

Sponsored by House Republican Quang Nguyen, the bill includes a provision for an emergency override feature. This would permit drivers to temporarily bypass the speed limitation, allowing for safe passing or emergency maneuvers, as explained by Nguyen: “Between having my driver’s license revoked and to be able to drive the speed limit, and you do have a 1-minute override in terms of emergency passing or whatever the situation is on the right side of the road. I think this is great.”

Arizona has seen speed-related incidents account for a third of its traffic fatalities in 2023. As things stand, over 2,500 drivers in the state have had their licenses suspended or revoked, underscoring the potential impact of this legislative proposal.