Senate committee backs pilot program to require speed-limiting devices for some offenders

The Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday voted to report HB 2096, establishing an Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) program administered by the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP) and giving judges an alternative to suspending drivers’ licenses in certain cases.

The bill, carried in the House by Delegate Elliot Hope, passed out of committee as amended and was re-referred to Senate Finance with a roll call of Ayes 11, Noes 2, Abstentions 2.

Supporters told the committee the technology, which uses GPS-based controls to limit a vehicle’s speed to the posted limit plus a small tolerance (typically five to ten miles per hour), can reduce speed‑related fatalities and give courts another sanction other than license suspension or jail. “This is a win‑win for the public. It will make our streets safer,” Delegate Elliot Hope told the committee.

Witnesses and advocacy groups offered largely unanimous support. Chrissy Noonan of Smart Start and LifeSafer told the panel the technology resembles devices used in fleet vehicles and that courts and regulators can structure the program to address concerns about vehicle compatibility and affordability. “VSAP has been around since 1986. They’re absolutely the right entity to manage this program,” Noonan said.

Family members of crash victims also addressed the committee. Tammy, identified in testimony as the mother of a 15‑year‑old killed by a speeding driver, urged passage: “This is a great bill. It’s going to save lives and it’s targeting the egregious drivers.” Janet Clement described local speeding and crashes near her Richmond neighborhood and said the bill would offer reformative options for offenders.

Committee members asked detailed questions about technology, costs and how the program would work in older vehicles. Delegate Hope said the systems use GPS rather than image recognition and described the device’s instantaneous adjustment as a driver moves between speed zones: “As you go from different speed, it's almost instantaneous that it would allow you to do that.” Chrissy Noonan estimated typical costs comparable to ignition‑interlock programs: about a $100 installation fee and roughly $120 per month, with statutory provisions to waive fees for indigent participants.

Committee counsel explained the bill’s interactions with existing penalties. For reckless‑offense suspensions referenced in the hearing, counsel said suspension periods can range from 60 days to six months for certain reckless offenses and longer for racing convictions; AS AMENDED, the bill provides judges discretion to require the ISA program in lieu of some suspensions while making participation mandatory for the most egregious speed offenses (over 100 mph) per the committee’s substitute language.

Senators debated whether a court should retain full discretion or whether participation should be mandatory at specified thresholds. A substitute offered in committee that preserved judicial discretion on the lower thresholds but mandated participation for extreme speed offenses failed, and the committee ultimately approved the patron’s approach as the bill was reported to finance.

Supporters included AAA, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets and other safety advocates; Christopher Morris of the agency that administers ignition‑interlock regulations told the committee his agency can operate the program.

The committee also heard technical questions about vehicle compatibility; witnesses said the bill’s regulatory process will require devices to be reliable across a range of vehicles and that VSAP and regulators will address older or specialty vehicles in rulemaking.

The committee’s approval sends the bill to Senate Finance for further consideration.

Ending: The committee vote was Ayes 11, Noes 2, Abstentions 2; the measure was reported to the Senate Finance Committee for additional review and potential fiscal and regulatory implementation details.