As per a proposed bill in one state, one group of drivers may be forced to pay $1,700. Tougher laws are being considered for the group of repeat reckless drivers who constantly get caught for reckless driving practices. Such drivers would need to install speed-limiting devices in their vehicles, which would automatically cap the car’s speed according to the set limit. Offenders would have to pay $1,700 yearly to install and maintain these devices.
Attempts have been made to tackle reckless driving in this state
The call for the installation of devices is to curb the problem of speeding throughout the state and to improve the driving habits of those repeat reckless drivers. Lawmakers proposed this law in October, whereby drivers who were convicted of two or more driving offenses within five years would have to install a speed assistant device in their cars. Those who drive more than 20 mph over the speed limit would be particularly affected by the new law.
This speed-limiting device works by decreasing engine power slowly once the speed limit has been exceeded. Drivers, however, will have to take into consideration the cost of installation and servicing, which will come to about $1,700. According to the suggested rules, the device would have to remain in the vehicle for a year after installation. Should better driving practices occur within the year, drivers will then be allowed to remove the device.
The issue of installing cameras rather than speed-limiting devices
Despite the strong support for this legislation from supporters, many drivers feel that the installation of such devices would detract from the bigger issue. Traffic camera enforcement is a suggestion advocated to end the incidents of reckless driving in this particular state. However, these speed-limiting devices may not exactly lead to a change in all drivers’ driving practices. The assumption is that only the citizens with speed-limiting devices installed in their vehicles would be encouraged to drive more slowly.
There are, however, many supporters who are in favor of the installation of speed-limiting devices for all repeat offenders. Supporters feel that these devices will curb the problem of speeding the moment that speeding occurs. The camera will only be able to catch an act of reckless driving once, whereas the speed-limiting devices will be able to stop the reckless driver immediately, whilst picking up the issue of reckless driving more than once.
Which state is considering enforcing the law of speed-limiting device installation?
This legislation was proposed in the state of Wisconsin after data from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) was received. More than 6,500 high-speed crashes occurred in 2024 due to drivers driving recklessly and speeding. Most drivers who were caught exceeded the speed limit of 20 mph.
Similar to the law of the license plate change in Wisconsin that changed what license plates look like, this new law entails installing speed-limiting devices that will change how cars drive on the road in the state.
Will the installation of speed devices be costly or safer for all?
The change would become effective for all citizens from January 2026 and will mainly target all repeat offenders. Supporters of the law view the law as a sure way to stop the reckless driving patterns of repeat offenders.
According to those against the law, such devices may have GPS tracking abilities. Those select few citizens who view the new law in a negative light say that vehicles will become monitoring tools. Nevertheless, Wisconsin is still going ahead with this necessary step to ensure that the state’s roads become far safer. Another state may also force some drivers to install a tracking device.
