Speed Freaks
A common driving misdemeanor is speeding. It is, after all, one of the most heavily enforced rules of the road in any city or state. We’ve all been there, not really intending to go over the limit but just straying over it a little, or there are those who do it without a care in the world, blasting well past the legal limit.
Some states are already introducing new legislation to curb speeders, and some measures being taken are quite extreme. Case in point: Illinois.
Speed Limiters
One major method of deterring speeding drivers is installing speed limiters. The device, in particular, is part of the Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) program, and is currently enforced officially in three states: Washington, Virginia, and Washington D.C.
Although the rules are the same, the implementation varies; in Virginia, a judge can require the limiter installation for drivers who go over 100 mph and are caught, in Washington state, it will use it for repeat offenders, and in Washington D.C., it targets drivers convicted of criminal reckless or aggravated reckless driving.
Illinois might soon join the list of speed limiter enforcers, introduced as House Bill 4948 by Rep. Martha Deuter. This bill will implement the same ISA program for those caught driving recklessly or going over 100 mph. Part of the punishment would be that instead of just suspending the license, the limiter will be installed in all owned and registered cars of the offender. The offender would also only be allowed to drive the cars with the limiters.
Other parts of the bill reveal just how strict it is. If a driver is caught speeding or engaging in reckless driving twice in a 12-month period, they will automatically be enrolled in the program. However, their licenses will be automatically suspended until they apply for the ISA permit, and they will need the device installed within 2 weeks.
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Sweeping Mandates
Apart from the three states already implementing ISA programs, Illinois intends to join in. Other states are also looking at passing their own renditions of the anti-speeding laws. Arizona, California, New York, and Maryland are all considering implementing their own.
These ISA devices that are used in the program analyze GPS and traffic signs to determine the posted speed limit. If the system detects and confirms the legal limit, the vehicle will be automatically kept from exceeding that speed.
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