image of cars driving on a California road

New California Bill Could Require Speeding Alert Technology in New Cars

A new California could cause the Golden State to join the EU in requiring new vehicles to have speeding technology that will alert motorists when they exceed the speed limit. If enacted into law, Senate Bill 961 will once again place California at the forefront of automotive safety standards. To help you prepare for any changes, let’s review the basics of Senate Bill 961 and how it could impact Californians.

What is Senate Bill 961?

Senate Bill 961 is a bill that was recently introduced by Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) that focuses on enhancing road safety through technological advancements. If enacted into law, SB 961 will “require, commencing with the 2030 model year, certain vehicles to be equipped with a passive intelligent speed system that would utilize a brief, one-time, visual, and audio signal” to alert drivers whenever they drive 10 miles per hour over the speed limit. Back in May of 2024, the California State Senate passed the bill. To become law, the bill must continue through the legislative process.

According to the bill, “a passive intelligent speed assistance (ISA) system” will be required on newly manufactured vehicles. This ISA will rely on GPS to locate the vehicle’s position and compare it to a database of posted speed limits. The bill reads that every passenger vehicle, truck, or bus manufactured or sold in California shall be equipped with an ISA starting in 2030. However, vehicles that do not have a GPS or a front-facing camera will not be required to have ISA, neither will emergency vehicles.

Bill Seeks to Enhance Safety

According to Scott Wiener, the state “is seeing a horrifying spike in traffic deaths, with thousands of drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians dying each year.” SB 961 is an effort to change that. Wiener’s office states that SB 961 was written based on recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which last year recommended to federal legislators that all new cars be equipped with technology that will alert motorists when they are speeding. The NTSB’s recommendation came after a horrific crash in 2022 where a motorist with a history of speeding was traveling over 100 miles per hour before crashing into a family. In 2022, NTSB data shows that speeding contributed to 29% of all traffic deaths.

Installing ISAs will be new for California drivers, however, the technology is already set to become a standard safety feature overseas. By introducing similar measures, California legislators hope to reduce speed-related incidents and make the roads safer for everyone.

What Impacts Will SB 961 Have on California Drivers?

If enacted into law, SB 961 will directly impact California drivers. For one, there will be an adjustment period to allow motorists to get used to driving a vehicle with the latest technology. Although the ISA will produce an alert when drivers exceed 10 miles per hour over the speed limit, the bill does not mention whether or not the technology will physically be able to reduce a vehicle’s speed. Still, the ISA system will require some adjustment, especially for those who habitually push the speed limit. The potential long-term benefits—reduced accidents, lower volume of insurance claims, and a general increase in road safety—however, could quickly outweigh any initial inconvenience. It is not currently clear how SB 961 will impact auto insurance rates.

Looking Ahead

Although not yet enacted, it is clear that Senate Bill 961 will significantly set new standards for vehicle safety on the road. However, those that are opposed to the bill state concerns related to governmental overreach and a confusing patchwork of varying regulations around the country. Despite this, any attempt to curb speeding accidents will likely benefit all. By using technology to help reduce speeding habits, California’s decision could influence the country’s auto industry nationwide if the bill is passed into law due to the state’s large size and number of vehicles on its roads.


The information in this article is obtained from various sources and is offered for educational purposes. Furthermore, it should not replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.