As NYC car accident attorneys, we know firsthand that excessive speed is one of the most dangerous factors on our city streets. These proposed measures have the potential to save countless lives by forcing the most dangerous drivers to slow down.
What the Proposed Legislation Would Do
State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Emily Gallagher are sponsoring Bill S.4045A/A.2299A, which would require repeat offenders to use an active ISA system. This technology caps vehicle speed at just 5 mph above the local speed limit, ensuring that drivers cannot recklessly accelerate in areas where pedestrians and cyclists are most vulnerable.
A driver would be required to install ISA if they meet either of the following criteria:
- Accumulating 11 or more points on their license within 24 months.
- Receiving six or more speed camera or red-light tickets within a 12-month period.
This approach mirrors New York’s existing ignition interlock law for drunk driving offenders, extending the principle of restricting dangerous driving behavior through technology.
ISA Pilot Program Shows Dramatic Results
Skeptics might question whether speed-limiting devices actually work. But the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation, recently completed a pilot program involving 500 city fleet vehicles. The results were undeniable:
- 64% reduction in time spent speeding more than 11 mph over the limit.
- 82% reduction in speeding on highways and other high-speed roads.
- 36% reduction in hard-braking incidents, a clear marker of safer, calmer driving.
Following this success, the City announced plans to expand ISA technology to 2,100 additional fleet vehicles, including trucks and buses. These findings prove that the technology is scalable, reliable, and effective across different vehicle types.
The Ladder Analogy: Why Speed Is So Deadly
To put the physics of speed into perspective, consider this: climbing a five-story ladder, 54 feet off the ground, is the equivalent of traveling 40 mph. If you fell from that height, the impact would almost certainly be fatal.
Yet many drivers treat 40 mph on a city street as “no big deal.” In reality, a pedestrian struck at 40 mph is almost guaranteed to die. At 20 mph, however, survival is much more likely.
Virginia recently highlighted this concept by erecting a giant ladder exhibit that linked fall heights to driving speeds, making the dangers of speeding brutally tangible. New York’s ISA proposal builds on this same message: speed kills, and technology can prevent it.
A National Push Toward Speed-Limiting Technology
New York is not alone. In Virginia, judges will soon be able to mandate ISA devices for repeat speeders as early as July 2026. In Washington State, the BEAM Act, named after four victims of a deadly 112-mph crash, also seeks to make ISA mandatory for reckless drivers.
These initiatives reflect a growing recognition that traditional punishments—like license suspensions—are often ineffective. By physically preventing drivers from exceeding the speed limit, ISA offers a constant safeguard, much like seatbelts, airbags, and ignition interlock devices.
Why This Matters in Car Accident Law
Every day, more than 100 people are killed in traffic crashes across America, and thousands more suffer life-changing injuries. The vast majority of these tragedies are preventable. Speeding remains one of the leading causes of fatal crashes in New York City, and victims often come to us after their lives have been shattered by a reckless driver.
If lawmakers succeed in expanding ISA technology, it could drastically reduce high-speed collisions and improve safety for everyone on our streets.
Contact Our NYC Car Accident Attorneys
At Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, we have represented victims of the most catastrophic car accidents in New York for more than 100 years. Our trial attorneys have secured some of the largest verdicts and settlements in motor vehicle accident cases, and we continue to fight for safer streets and accountability for dangerous drivers.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident caused by a speeding or reckless driver, contact our firm today at 212-943-1090