I oppose SB-961 which requires all new cars sold in CA to have speed governors to limit all vehicles to no more than 10 mph over the posted speed limit. This dangerous technology will make our roadways less safe.

Speed limiters on new cars would increase speed variation on roads, proven to be more hazardous than uniform speeds, even if slightly above the limit. Given the lengthy timeframe for full adoption, during the transition, only a fraction of vehicles would be equipped, amplifying speed discrepancies and increasing collision risks.

SB-961 could hinder collision avoidance by limiting speed flexibility.
Exceeding the speed limit is occasionally essential to evade collisions or hazards, and the imposition of speed limiters may impede such maneuvers, potentially increasing accident rates.

SB-961 would hinder access to emergency services.
In medical emergencies, every second counts, and private vehicles are crucial for timely transport to emergency rooms, especially for the injured, heart attack victims, women in labor, and sick or injured pets. Delays caused by speed limiters would likely result in more deaths.

SB-961 would greatly hinder safe passing on two-lane divided highways.
Passing on these roads often requires speeds above the limit to merge safely. Limiters could lead to head-on collisions or make passing slow vehicles impossible, particularly endangering drivers in rural areas.

GPS Inaccuracies Could Cause Catastrophic Collisions on High Speed Roadways.
For instance, if a vehicle on a high speed roadway is misidentified as being on a slower adjacent road, speed limiters could abruptly brake, causing catastrophic collisions. Additionally, mapping errors, which are common, could unduly limit a vehicle’s speed, impairing mobility and magnify speed differentials between vehicles with and without speed limiters, further leading to more dangerous roadways.

SB-961 would compromise the ability to flee perilous circumstances.

• Exceeding speed limits is essential to evade dangerous individuals, like aggressive drivers, especially jeopardizing women and victims of domestic violence.
• Escaping natural disasters like wildfires and tsunamis often requires exceeding speed limits, but limiters would impede escape efforts significantly.

SB-961 would discourage new vehicle sales.
Many drivers may prolong the use of older vehicles to avoid limiters, leading to:

• Increased pollution and greenhouse gas emissions due to retention of older, less efficient cars.
• Delayed adoption of safer vehicles with advanced features, compromising road safety.
• Significant economic setbacks for auto manufacturers, dealers and UAW workers.
• Escalation in used car prices, disproportionately impacting lower-income individuals.
• Increased new car prices due to the additional cost of these systems, further dissuading sales.

Real-time vehicle location tracking is essential for speed limiter functionality leading to privacy concerns.
As highlighted in 4th Amendment cases such as United States v. Jones (2011) and United States v. Katzin (2013), universal location tracking violates individuals' rights to freedom from warrantless, continuous tracking of their movements.

SB-961 could foster a black market for disabling these systems, presenting a significant additional burden for law enforcement.

Vote NO on SB-961!