Some of the state’s most habitual speeders will soon be required to install speed-limiting devices in their car.
Gov. Bob Ferguson signed legislation Monday requiring the devices for drivers whose licenses have been suspended due to reckless or excessive speeding.
In 2022, 29% of crash fatalities occurred when at least one of the drivers was speeding. Between 2019 and 2023, fatal crashes involving a speeding driver increased by 40% in Washington. Over the same period, speeding tickets for motorists driving more than 50 mph have increased by 200%.
In Washington, a driver can have their license suspended if they receive three or more moving violation infractions within one year or four or more within two years. However, many drivers simply don’t comply with the suspension.
The legislation, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2029, will require drivers whose license was previously suspended due to speeding to equip their vehicle with an intelligent speed assistance device. The device operates similarly to the ignition interlock device used by repeat DUI offenders and uses GPS to restrict a driver to the posted speed limit.