California’s New Bill: Mandatory Speed Governors for New Vehicles

California, a state known for its progressive policies and innovative ideas, has recently introduced a new bill that aims to reduce road fatalities by mandating all new vehicles sold in the state to be equipped with speed governors. The bill, introduced by California State Sen. Scott Wiener, is part of a larger package called the Speeding and Fatality Emergency Reduction on California Streets Package.

The bill requires new vehicles sold in California to install speed governors, smart devices that automatically limit the vehicle’s speed to 10 miles above the legal limit. The press release from Wiener’s office argues that these changes are meant to “slash” the “California road deaths epidemic.”

The alarming surge in road deaths is a significant concern for the state, with traffic fatalities in California increasing by 22% from 2019 to 2022, compared to 19% for the U.S. overall. In 2022, 4,400 Californians died in car crashes. The bill package also includes provisions for side underride guards on trucks and physical improvements like new crosswalks and curb extensions on state-owned surface streets to better accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, the disability community, and transit users.

While some argue that the legislation is a commonsense approach to prevent needless and heartbreaking crashes, others are not on board. Social media users have expressed frustration with the plan, with some questioning the practicality of limiting speeds and others expressing concerns about government control.

A spokesperson for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration told Fox News Digital that the agency “does not comment on pending legislation.”

The debate over the bill highlights the ongoing tension between safety and freedom, with some arguing that the government has a responsibility to protect its citizens, while others believe that individual freedoms should not be infringed upon. The bill is currently under consideration in the California State Senate and, if passed, would take effect on January 1, 2026.

California State Sen. Scott Wiener is a Democrat from San Francisco who has been a vocal advocate for progressive policies. The bill is part of a larger package aimed at reducing road fatalities and improving road safety in California. The bill has sparked a heated debate, with some arguing that it is a necessary step to prevent needless crashes, while others express concerns about government control and individual freedoms. The bill is currently under consideration in the California State Senate and, if passed, would take effect on January 1, 2026.