Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that would have required new vehicles sold in California to be equipped with a warning system to warn drivers if they exceed the speed limit by 10 mph.
Newsom announced his decision to reject the bill on Saturday, writing in a notice to legislators that while he appreciates the intention to improve road safety, the legislation presents several challenges.
The bill would have required that starting with 2030 models, every new car, truck or bus sold or leased in the state would have to have a so-called “passive intelligent speed assist system.” The system would alert drivers with an audio and visual warning every time they drive 10 km/h over the speed limit.
The European Union already requires such systems in new vehicles.
Newsom said federal law “already regulates vehicle safety standards, and adding California-specific requirements would create a patchwork of regulations that undermine this longstanding federal framework.” He noted that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently evaluating speed assist systems.
The governor said that “imposing mandates at the state level at this time risks interfering with these ongoing federal assessments.”
The legislation, authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), would have been first of its kind in the country. Supporters said the bill aimed to significantly reduce traffic deaths and injuries caused by speeding drivers.
At a recent hearing, Assemblyman Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) said more than 4,000 Californians die each year in traffic collisions, “and speeding is a major factor in one-third of those deaths.”
Those who opposed the bill included Republican lawmakers, who argued the legislation would limit people’s freedom and said the technology could distract drivers and create problems.
Times staff writer Colleen Shalby contributed to this report.