- New bill would require speed limiters for drivers convicted of reckless driving.
- Offenders may be banned from cars without approved limiter systems installed.
- Backers cite safety benefits, while critics warn of growing government control.
Virginia recently passed a law that enables drivers convicted of speeding at 100 mph (160 km/h) or more to install a speed nanny in their car, as opposed to losing their license. Several other states have expressed interest in that sort of tech, and now, Illinois is joining that list.
If House Bill 4948, introduced by Rep. Martha Deuter, becomes law, drivers convicted of reckless driving in the state could be required to install the same kind of speed-limiting tech in their vehicles.
Read: Speed Limiters Might Soon Decide How Fast Some Are Allowed To Drive
The proposal would create an Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) Program, aimed at people caught doing reckless driving or exceeding extreme speeds, including more than 100 mph.
Instead of simply suspending a license, courts could require those drivers to install a certified speed-limiting device on every vehicle they own or register. Once enrolled, they wouldn’t legally be allowed to drive any car that doesn’t have the system installed.
ISA Program Requirements
According to MyStateLine, the latest version of the bill has some strict rules. Drivers who commit two qualifying speeding or reckless driving offenses within a 12-month period get automatically enrolled in the program. That doesn’t mean that they’re good to go, though. Their licenses would also technically be under suspension until they apply for a special ISA permit and get the device installed within a two-week period.
Like in other versions of this system that we’ve featured, the tech uses GPS, mapping data, and traffic-sign recognition to determine the posted speed limit. Once it’s confirmed that, it automatically limits the vehicle from exceeding that speed. It’s not too far afield from alcohol ignition interlock systems that prevent a vehicle from starting if drivers can’t pass a breath test.
Repeat Offender Thresholds
At that point, participants are stuck in the program for at minimum a year or up to three years, depending on prior enrollments. Importantly, the amendment also includes privacy rules limiting what data the device can collect, such as speed, posted limits, and tampering attempts. Location data would generally have to be deleted within 90 days, though information could be shared with other states if the driver moves.
Supporters say the technology could reduce fatal crashes caused by extreme speeding. Critics argue it opens the door to government-mandated vehicle controls that could expand far beyond repeat offenders.
Even then, this is far from a done deal. The proposal still needs to pass into law, and if it does, the earliest it would take effect is January 1, 2028.
