Vehicles: active intelligent speed assist devices.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not specify the exact offenses that trigger the requirement to install an ISA. It mentions 'specified driving offenses relating to excessive speed, reckless driving, and exhibitions of speed.'

Vehicles: Active Intelligent Speed Assist Devices

AB-981 requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to establish a pilot program in five California counties where people convicted of speeding or reckless driving must install an Intelligent Speed Assist device on their vehicles.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to create a pilot program for Los Angeles, San Diego, Fresno, Sacramento, and Kern counties to make drivers who break speed laws install an Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) device on their vehicles.
• Makes it optional for first-time offenders to have this device installed but mandatory for repeat offenders.
• Sets up rules about how long the ISA must be used and creates forms for verifying its installation.
• Establishes a fee system for these devices that manufacturers can set.
• Requires the DMV to report on the program's success by 2030.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who have been convicted of speeding or reckless driving in Los Angeles, San Diego, Fresno, Sacramento, and Kern counties.
• The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) which will manage the pilot program.
• Manufacturers of Intelligent Speed Assist devices.

Terms To Know

Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA)

A device that helps drivers not exceed speed limits by automatically adjusting car speeds or warning them when they are going too fast.

Pilot Program

A small-scale test of a new idea to see if it works before making it bigger.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill only applies in five specific California counties.
• It is not clear how effective the ISA devices will be until the pilot program results are analyzed.
• There may be costs for drivers who need to install these devices, but no state reimbursement is required.

Official Summary Text

AB 981, as amended, Gipson.
Vehicles: active intelligent speed assist devices.
Existing law requires, until January 1, 2026, a person who has been convicted on or after January 1, 2019, of driving a motor vehicle under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, as specified, to install for a period of time, as ordered by the court, an ignition interlock device (IID) on the vehicle they operate. Installation of an IID is discretionary for a first offender, as specified. Existing law also requires persons convicted of driving under the influence of a drug to install an IID. Existing law specifies periods for which a person convicted of one or more prior driving-under-the-influence violations is required to install an IID, as specified. A violation of the Vehicle Code is a crime punishable as an infraction, unless otherwise specified.
This bill would
impose
require the Department of Motor Vehicles to establish, until January 1, 2033, a pilot program in the Counties of Los Angeles, San Diego, Fresno, Sacramento, and Kern that would impose
a similar requirement for persons convicted of specified driving offenses relating to excessive speed, reckless driving, and exhibitions of speed to install for a period of time, as ordered by the court, a certified active intelligent speed assist device (ISA) on any vehicle the person operates. The bill would similarly make the installation of an ISA discretionary for a first offender, as specified. The bill would establish periods for which a person convicted of one or more prior
driving-under-the-influence
violations
specified driving offenses
is required to install an ISA, as specified. The bill would require the Department of Motor Vehicles to create a verification installation form to be submitted by persons subject to these provisions. The bill would impose a fee schedule to be adopted by certified ISA manufacturers and their agents for the ISA and other related costs. By creating new crimes related to the installation and maintenance of an ISA, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The bill would require, by July 1, 2030, the department to report data to the Transportation Agency regarding the implementation and efficacy of the pilot program, as specified, and require the Transportation Agency to report to the Legislature on the outcomes of the pilot program by July 1, 2031.
This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Counties of Los Angeles, San Diego, Fresno, Sacramento, and Kern.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF