Quick Hit:  

California's legislature passed a bill requiring speed limit alarms in new cars, aiming to reduce traffic fatalities. Governor Gavin Newsom now decides whether to sign the measure into law.

Key Details: 

• SB 961 mandates speed limit alarms for 2030 model-year vehicles in California.
• The bill applies to cars with front-facing cameras or GPS, excluding two-wheelers and emergency vehicles.
• California's market influence could pressure national auto standards to follow.

Diving Deeper:

California's legislature has approved SB 961, a bill designed to curb speeding by requiring new cars to feature speed limit alarms. If signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, the law would mandate 2030 model year vehicles to issue visual and audio warnings when a driver exceeds the speed limit by 10 miles per hour. Two-wheelers and emergency vehicles are exempt.

The bill, authored by State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), focuses on reducing traffic fatalities, which have surged in recent years. Wiener cites speeding as a significant cause of these fatalities. "Traffic fatalities have risen alarmingly in California and across the nation," Wiener noted in support of the bill.

Many newer vehicles already have the necessary technology, with about 90% of cars sold in the U.S. equipped with tracking systems. These systems can monitor vehicle activity and location, allowing the integration of speed limit alarms. The bill could force automakers to further adapt to California's regulations, potentially influencing nationwide standards. The state has successfully done this before, using its market power to regulate areas such as toxic chemicals and animal welfare in food production.

Automakers, represented by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, and the California New Car Dealers Association have acknowledged the similarities between this bill and European Union regulations, which are set to require similar systems by 2024. U.S. federal rules already mandate emergency braking systems in cars starting in 2029.