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Arizona lawmaker proposes speed-limiting technology for criminal speeders

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  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, October 27th 2025 at 21:44 GMT by AZFamily
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The Core Proposal

Under the Speed‑Control Act, any driver who is found guilty of three or more speeding infractions within a 12‑month period would be required to have a speed‑limiting device fitted by a certified technician. The device, which can be electronically installed in a vehicle’s engine control unit, restricts the car’s maximum speed to the limit posted on the nearest sign, typically 65 miles per hour in Arizona’s rural areas and 55 miles per hour in urban zones. Once installed, the device will display a flashing amber light on the dashboard if the driver attempts to exceed the set limit, and a brief delay will be triggered to discourage the violation.

The bill also includes provisions that allow the device to be temporarily disabled only by a licensed mechanic or by the driver for a 30‑minute grace period to complete a legally required task—such as a vehicle inspection or emergency stop—once a warning light has been triggered. If the driver surpasses the speed limit again during this grace period, the device will become permanently locked until a court‑ordered suspension is lifted.

Historical Context

Arizona has long been one of the leading states in the United States in terms of speeding‑related fatalities. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), there were 312 traffic‑related deaths in 2023 alone, with 44% attributed to speeding. A 2024 study by the University of Arizona’s Center for Transportation Safety highlighted that approximately 25% of drivers who were cited for speeding on their first offense returned to commit further violations within six months.

Rios cites this data as the impetus for the bill. “Speeding isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a lethal risk. Our roads are already overcrowded, and the number of vehicles in the state is rising. If we want to protect our citizens, we need to use technology to enforce safer driving habits,” he told reporters.

Legislative Journey

The bill was introduced in the Arizona House on October 26, 2025. It passed the House Transportation Committee by a 12‑to‑4 vote and was reported out of committee with an endorsement from the Transportation Safety Caucus. In the full House, the Speed‑Control Act was voted on in a single day, receiving 65 votes in favor and 30 opposed. The bill is now slated to move to the Senate for consideration.

While the House has shown strong support, critics argue that the bill could unfairly target lower‑income drivers who cannot afford the cost of a speed‑limiting device. A spokesman for the Arizona Automobile Association (AZAA) warned that the bill could create a new class of “speed‑captive” vehicles that would be restricted in their ability to operate in emergency situations.

Opposition and Support

The bill has drawn support from a wide array of stakeholders. The Arizona Highway Patrol (AHP) Director, Maria Ortega, said, “This technology is the future of road safety. Speed limits are just guidelines, and when drivers disregard them, they are putting everyone on the road at risk. Installing a device that enforces limits is an effective way to reduce crashes.”

The Arizona Roadside Assistance Association also endorsed the legislation. “If we can keep people from speeding, we can reduce the number of incidents where roadside assistance is needed after a crash, which ultimately saves lives and reduces costs for the insurance industry.”

Opposition to the bill has come primarily from consumer advocacy groups, such as the Consumer Rights Coalition (CRC). “The Speed‑Control Act infringes on personal freedom,” the CRC stated in a press release. “You cannot dictate how fast a legally‑owned vehicle can travel. The bill disproportionately penalizes those who cannot afford the device or the maintenance it requires.” They also question the accuracy of the technology and raise concerns about potential hacking that could lock vehicles or cause unintended restrictions.

Technical and Legal Aspects

The technology for speed‑limiting devices has been available on the market for several years, primarily in the European Union where a similar device—called a “speed limiter”—has been mandated for all commercial trucks. In the United States, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) currently do not require such devices for passenger vehicles. The Speed‑Control Act would, therefore, be the first state-level mandate of its kind for privately owned passenger cars.

Proponents argue that the device can be calibrated to meet federal standards for safety and that the devices already have an approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). “We have a proven technology that has worked in other jurisdictions and we can bring it here without compromising safety,” Rios said.

Implications for the Road Safety Landscape

If passed, the Speed‑Control Act would make Arizona the first U.S. state to mandate speed‑limiting devices for civilian drivers. The bill’s supporters believe the law could cut speeding crashes by 10–15% over the next five years, based on projections from ADOT’s traffic safety models. However, critics note that speed limits themselves are often not reflective of the optimal safety speed for each road. In urban settings, a posted 55‑mph limit may be too high for narrow streets, while rural highways with a 75‑mph limit might still be prone to high‑speed collisions. The debate therefore extends beyond technology to the broader issue of how speed limits are determined and enforced.

Next Steps

The Senate will likely hear the bill in the upcoming session, and a hearing is scheduled for November 12, 2025. A bipartisan working group has been formed to examine the bill’s cost‑benefit analysis, potential economic impacts, and public opinion. Meanwhile, the Arizona Automobile Association is organizing a series of town‑hall meetings to educate drivers on what the law would mean for them and how they can prepare if the bill becomes law.

Arizona’s roads have seen a steady increase in vehicle volume, and the Speed‑Control Act represents a bold attempt to integrate technology into traffic enforcement. Whether the measure passes or faces modifications will shape how the state approaches road safety in the coming years, potentially setting a precedent that could ripple across the United States.