New Law Takes Aim at New York Drivers Who Speed

Speeders beware! New York State is exploring technology to combat extreme speeding by controlling how fast some drivers can drive.

If you have a "lead foot" and have received numerous speeding tickets or red light camera tickets that have resulted in points on your driver's license, New York State may introduce you and your car to something called "Intelligent Speed Assistance".

New York to Take Control of How Fast Some Drivers Drive

New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes recently expressed support for the use of Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) technology to combat extreme speeding. ISA technology was recently passed into legislation in Virginia, which is set to be the first state in the U.S. to mandate speed limiters for repeat speeding.

Gounardes told WRGB, "These speed limiters will save lives in Virginia. They can save lives in New York." The proposed bill would only target drivers "who are serial speeders who are disproportionately responsible for carnage on our streets."

The number of drivers that would be affected by the bill, if passed, is unclear, but it would likely affect a small number of unsafe drivers and force them to slow down, ultimately making New York roads safer, according to Gounardes.

Who Would Get a Speed Limiter in New York?

The senator's legislation would require that any driver who accumulates 11 or more points on their license within 18 months or receives six speed camera or red light camera tickets in a year have an ISA device installed on their vehicle.

Once installed, the device would restrict the vehicle from exceeding the speed limit by more than 5 mph.

Types of Speed Limiters

If the legislation is passed, it's unclear which form of speed limiter New York would require for repeat offenders. There are a couple of variations of limiters available, including a version that uses GPS tracking to judge the speed limit of a road a vehicle is driving down.

SEE ALSO: New York State Police Issue Massive Number of Tickets

If a driver exceeds that limit, the limiter will either sound an audible alert or physically limit the speed of the vehicle, according to Car and Driver.

Do Speed Limiters Make Roads Safer?

Speed limiters are in use in the UK, and a recent report indicated a 37% reduction in traffic deaths due to speed limiters, so they do have the possibility of making New York roads safer.