According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), speeding remains one of the most persistent and deadly threats on US roadways, accounting for more than 11,000 deaths in 2024 alone, and 125,000 fatalities over the last decade.
With support from the National Road Safety Foundation (NRSF) and the SteerSafe Partnership, the GHSA has produced a new guidebook, Intelligent Speed Assistance: A New Tool for Safer Roads.
The publication comes as numerous states have either enacted laws implementing Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) or are considering doing so. The District of Columbia passed the country’s first law requiring use of an ISA device for high-risk drivers, and additional states including Virginia, Washington and Maryland have followed with similar legislation.
The guidebook details steps and actions for State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs) to help support and advance the adoption of active ISA.
The GHSA said there was a growing number of examples of ISA’s effectiveness at local level. In New York City, a pilot program involving 500 fleet vehicles saw a 64% reduction in time spent driving significantly over the speed limit. Similarly, a District of Columbia school bus pilot logged 10,000 miles with zero speeding events, proving the technology can ensure that those responsible for our most vulnerable passengers consistently follow the law.
While active ISA could benefit all drivers, the guidebook highlights three groups, repeat speeding offenders, fleet drivers and newly licensed teens – who would benefit the most. It outlines how state safety officials can support ISA deployment and lead the transition to a safer, speed conscious culture.
“Speeding-related deaths remain a vexing problem and traditional approaches have only been modestly successful,” said GHSA Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Adkins.
“Including a technological solution such as ISA can make a big impact.”
