Virginia has passed legislation that gives judges the authority to order intelligent speed assistance (ISA) systems on the vehicles of those convicted of reckless driving in the state. 

The ISA system is defined as a system that limits the speed a vehicle is capable of traveling based on the speed limit.  

The bill, HB2096, becomes effective July 1, 2026. 

Those convicted of reckless driving at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour can be ordered to be in the ISA program as an alternative to their license being suspended, the release says. Offenses can be ordered into the program for not less than 60 days nor more than six months. Anyone convicted of the violation more than four times can be ordered to the program for up to five years. 

Delegate Patrick Hope (D-1), sponsor of the bill, told WJLA that he plans to expand the law to include teenage drivers. 

“Driving is a privilege, it’s not a right,” Hope told the news station. “And so if you are someone who has been convicted of reckless driving, again, the judge has an option: they can send you to jail, or they can take away your license, or they can use this third option. If you want to drive a vehicle, then this is going to be the price to pay for violating the law.” 

There were 25,274 speed-related crashes in Virginia in 2022, according to the Virginia Highway Safety Office. The crashes resulted in 449 deaths and 13,474 injuries. 

Last year, the District of Columbia approved legislation that allows judges to install speed governing devices on the vehicles of those convicted of reckless driving crimes, according to NBC Washington. 

The device monitors drivers’ speeds. Traffic violations recorded by the monitor could cause more violations and the vehicle to be towed, according to NBC Washington. 

Last year, California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have required ISA in all vehicles in the state starting in 2030. 

SB961 would have made California the first state to require ISA in vehicles. It has been a required technology on vehicles in Europe since July. The bill’s ISA wouldn’t control the speed of the vehicle but instead notify drivers when the vehicle is traveling at a speed higher than the posted speed limit. 

“While I appreciate the intent to improve traffic safety, this bill presents several challenges,” Newsom said in a veto message. “Federal law, as implemented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), already regulates vehicle safety standards, and adding California-specific requirements would create a patchwork of regulations that undermines this longstanding federal framework. NHTSA is also actively evaluating intelligent speed assistance systems, and imposing state-level mandates at this time risks disrupting these ongoing federal assessments.”

Images

Photo courtesy of sanfel/iStock