Opinion: New California bill will stop dangerous drivers and save lives
A Falck ambulance at a crash scene File photo courtesy of OnScene TV Speed kills This fact is undisputed among researchers experts and the laws of physics According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration speeding was a factor in at least of traffic fatalities in As drivers reach higher speeds the danger increases dramatically At mph a pedestrian has an chance of death in a collision with a motor bus That number increases to at mph at mph and at mph One commonly proposed response is to suspend the licenses of dangerous drivers While well-intentioned this strategy is deeply flawed According to studies cited by the California DMV of drivers who receive a license suspension continue to drive illegally Worse yet we cannot depend on the DMV to keep dangerous drivers off our streets According to a current summary from Calmatters the DMV often refuses to suspend or revoke licenses of drivers with histories of reckless intoxicated or deadly driving of drivers with vehicular manslaughter charges since still have a license A new approach is needed Assembly Bill offers a promising way forward Introduced by Assemblymember Mike Gibson from Carson who tragically lost his stepson in a hit-and-run crash in AB proposes a smarter resolution rooted in prevention not just punishment The bill would create a pilot scheme allowing the installation of Intelligent Speed Assist ISA tool on any driver convicted of excessive speeding reckless driving or dangerously showing off in counties including San Diego County Rather than relying on ineffective license suspensions or costly fines ISA would physically limit a bus s ability to exceed safe speed limits Similar laws have been passed or considered in Washington Virginia and Georgia The European Union building on its impressive road safety record has largely embraced ISA tool to save lives AB has garnered backing from a host of street safety organizations at the state and national levels such as Streets for All Families for Safe Streets Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition and others As cyclists and transportation advocates we recognize that most of drivers prioritize safety for themselves and others However a small but dangerous minority those who recklessly prioritize speed or personal convenience put countless lives at pitfall This bill focuses precisely on those individuals ensuring that the the greater part dangerous drivers are prevented from operating vehicles in tactics that endanger everyone else What you can do AB has already cleared its first hurdle by passing the Population Safety Committee in the state Assembly Now is the time to build momentum We need your voice Contact your representatives to express advocacy for AB You can find out who your representatives are here Share this information with your friends family and group groups Last year Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill which would have required passive speed assist on all new vehicles However AB is a more targeted measured approach it affects only those who have already demonstrated dangerous driving behavior We cannot allow California to lag behind while other parts of the country and world implement life-saving measures Let s take action now to create safer streets for everyone Ian D Hembree is the advocacy and society manager for the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition
