The California Senate has passed SB 961, which would require “passive speed limiters” to be installed in all new cars manufactured or sold in the Golden State by 2032. 

The motion, introduced by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), would make California the first state in the nation to enact the safety requirement, which is similar to a law in the European Union that is set to take effect in July.

In the E.U.’s initiative, drivers are “always in control and can easily override” the intelligent speed assistance system.

According to Senator Wiener, California – and America as a whole – have seen a “horrifying spike” in deaths of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists over the years, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic; the California Office of Traffic Safety’s 2023 Traffic Safety Report found that deadly crashes involving alcohol and drug-impaired driving, motorcyclist fatalities and teenage driver fatalities all increased from 2020 to 2021.

“These deaths are preventable, and they’re occurring because of policy choices to tolerate dangerous roads,” Senator Wiener said in a statement. “The evidence is clear: Rising levels of dangerous speeding are placing all Californians in danger, and by taking prudent steps to improve safety, we can save lives.” 

SB 961 would require every passenger vehicle, truck and bus manufactured or sold in California to be equipped with “passive speed governors” by 2032, with a 50% phase-in by 2029.  

“Passive speed governors, also referred to as passive Intelligent Speed Assistance…warn drivers with audible and visual signals when they exceed the speed limit by greater than ten miles per hour,” Senator Wiener’s office said.  

The bill’s speed governor requirement does not apply to emergency vehicles, the senator’s office added. 

SB 961, which passed the Senate by a vote of 22-13 on Tuesday, now moves to the State Assembly, where it must pass by Aug. 31.