Virginia Law Allows Judges to Mandate Speed Limiters

The law could set a new precedent for speed limiting tech on U.S. vehicles.

1 minute read

April 14, 2025, 6:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Small red car driving on forested road passing "Welcome to Virginia" sign.

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A Virginia state law expected to go into effect in 2026 allows judges to mandate speed limiting devices on the vehicles of drivers convicted of driving 100 miles per hour or more. “Advocates said the measure would not only prevent deadly crashes and minimize reckless driving, but also serve as a model for future legislation,” writes Aaron Short in Streetsblog USA.

According to Short, “The new rule, approved by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin late last month and expected to go into effect in July 2026, will enable judges to force drivers convicted of going over 100 miles per hour to install a ‘speed governor’ in their vehicles.”

Washington, D.C. approved the devices in February 2024, and other states — New York, Washington State, Maryland, Georgia, Arizona, and California — are considering similar legislation. In 2022, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) suggested the federal government should require or incentivize speed limiter systems on cars.

Thursday, April 10, 2025 in Streetsblog USA

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