Bill would pilot in‑car speed‑limiting devices for chronic speed offenders; wide support from safety groups and transit advocates

House Bill 1139, presented by Delegate Nick Allen at the Feb. 20 Environment and Transportation Committee hearing, would create an Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) pilot program run by the Motor Vehicle Administration. Under the proposal, drivers who would otherwise face license suspension for chronic speeding, reckless driving or racing could install a GPS‑based device that limits vehicle speed to the posted limit for a period of one year as an alternative to suspension.

Allen described devices already used in commercial fleets and pilot programs abroad and noted recent adoption by the District of Columbia and, this week, by Virginia. He told the committee the device can be programmed to the speed limit (or a few miles per hour above it), includes an override for safety, and that the cost is roughly comparable to ignition‑interlock programs (about $4 per day). He said MVA would waive fees for indigent participants and manufacturers have offered discounts mirroring ignition‑interlock programs. Allen framed the ISA as a Vision Zero measure to reduce injuries and fatalities from speeding.

Supporters included AAA, Families for Safe Streets, Safe Roads Maryland, motorcycle and bicycling advocates, transit union representatives and multiple victims and family members who delivered emotional testimony describing fatal or life‑changing crashes attributed to excessive speed. "The device is programmable... It can be set to the speed limit or even a few miles an hour above it," Allen said, explaining the technical features and describing a live demo he performed for the committee. Sergeant Pat Kep of the Montgomery County Police Department said the program fills a gap where license suspension alone does not stop many offenders from driving illegally: "A person who has their license suspended for speeding is either a chronic speeder or someone convicted of related offenses... people do often drive on their suspended driver's license." (Kep recounted he was struck by a high‑speed driver in October 2023.)

AAA and road‑safety advocates provided data: Maryland had more than 7,700 speed‑related crashes in 2023, AAA testimony said, and groups noted higher rates of serious crashes involving vulnerable road users. Families of crash victims and survivors urged passage; Marietta Squire described the death of her daughter in a crash involving a driver who, she said, had a history of driving on a revoked license and previous offenses.

Committee members raised practical questions about multi‑vehicle households, enforcement when a participant drives another car, costs and whether the $4‑per‑day fee provides sufficient deterrent for repeat offenders. Sponsor and witnesses said devices could be installed on multiple vehicles and that fee structure mirrors existing programs designed to balance compliance with financial burden; they agreed to continue refining enforcement mechanisms in subcommittee. Several law‑enforcement and safety witnesses said ISA should be part of a package of Vision Zero measures rather than a standalone fix.

No committee vote was recorded at the hearing. Sponsor indicated technical amendments to ensure compliance with federal rules for commercial drivers and to address device‑installation questions would be filed in advance of further committee action.