Washington is bringing changes, and as you may know, reckless driving is the leading cause of death in traffic accidents across the country. So, Washington has decided to stop the rise in these numbers and will require certain repeat offenders to use GPS speed limiters. There is a real stir going on, but this is a battle against speeding.
The measure has been named the BEAM Act, and it aims to reduce the increase in accident-related deaths, with figures not seen in over 30 years. We may like it more or less, but something had to be done about this issue.
What is the BEAM Act?
It belongs to House Bill 1596, and it is a law signed by the state of Washington in May 2025 to toughen penalties against repeat speeding offenders. For that reason, repeat offenders or drivers whose license has already been suspended for this reason will be required to have an ISA (Intelligent Speed Assistance) installed in their vehicles, and no, it cannot be removed on their own.
How do GPS speed limiters work?
This device (ISA) prevents the car from exceeding speed limits by using a system that compares the vehicle’s location with real-time traffic data.
Although the system will allow the driver to disable it three times per month, it will be mandatory for those with a record of reckless or serious speeding violations.
A system similar to a breathalyzer, but for the accelerator
ISAs work similarly to mandatory breathalyzers installed in the vehicles of people convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol. But in this case, the system doesn’t analyze breath, it tracks the car’s location. The limiter compares the vehicle’s speed in real time with the legal limit on the road, and if the driver goes over the limit, it reduces power so the car cannot go faster, like being back in the driving school car.
Restricted licenses for repeat offenders
The new law includes two mandatory usage periods: 120 days for speeding offenders and 150 days for those convicted of reckless driving. And be careful, because if you drive without the device during that period, it will be considered a violation that can extend the suspension of your license even further.
Why has Washington taken this step?
The law is named after four people who died after being struck by a repeat offender in Renton: Boyd Buster Brown, Eloise Wilcoxson, Andrea Smith Hudson, and Matilda Wilcoxson.
That same driver had already been involved in two serious speeding accidents in less than a year. He was recently sentenced to more than 17 years in prison for vehicular homicide. And of course, a major debate began over the lack of tools to stop dangerous drivers. Even though nothing will bring back those who have already died, we can still fight so that no one else loses their life at the hands of a reckless driver.
Deaths from reckless driving
In 2023 alone, the state recorded the highest number of traffic deaths in over three decades. One-third of those deaths were related to speeding.
Europe is already doing it, what about the United States?
In Europe, speed limiters have been mandatory in all new vehicles since 2022, so this is not a collective delirium of the State of Washington
In the United States, however, the idea is still under discussion (an debate) but, states like Virginia, Georgia, and Washington are starting to legislate based on new control technologies.
A debate between safety and freedom
Is it an interference of driver freedom? We still don’t know, maybe, but the truth is that many lives will be saved thanks to this law, and we appreciate that lawmakers have chosen to act. Washington was the first, but it won’t be the last!