House committee hears bill to let courts require in-vehicle speed limiters for serious speeders

OLYMPIA — The House Transportation Committee heard testimony on House Bill 1596, a proposal to let courts and the Department of Licensing require “intelligent speed assistance” (ISA) devices — GPS-based speed limiters — for people whose licenses were suspended after specified excessive-speeding or racing convictions.

Representative Marie Levitt, prime sponsor, told the committee the measure targets repeat offenders who cause a disproportionate share of speed-related traffic deaths. "Washingtonians are losing their lives or families or losing a loved one from crashes as a result of excessive speeding," Levitt said. The bill would make a new restricted license available to eligible drivers who install an ISA device and pay a fee; courts could also order ISA devices as a condition of pretrial release or post-conviction probation.

Supporters said the devices are proven elsewhere and would reduce repeat excessive-speed driving. "This is a multifaceted crisis that demands a sense of urgency," Levitt said, citing…