The next time a repeat speeder tries to speed at 160 mph in an 80 zone, they might be in for a nasty surprise. Their accelerator simply won’t respond. That’s thanks to GPS speed limiters, a technology that’s about to fundamentally transform the way we drive in the United States.
The states of Washington and Virginia have decided to say no to chronic reckless drivers by installing satellite devices that read the limits and block those who exceed them. A drastic approach, but (perhaps) necessary. What do you think? Maybe you will write to me on the various social networks of Futuro Prossimo, but in the meantime let me tell you.
How GPS Limiter Works
The device, which is very reminiscent of the mandatory breathalyser tests for drunk drivers, Installs via the car's OBD-II port and constantly communicates with GPS satellites. It always knows where you are, knows the speed limit for that specific road, and intervenes electronically when you try to exceed it.
Mary Leavitt, the congresswoman who sponsored the BEAM Act in Washington state, has tested it herself: “If I’m in a 40-mph speed limit and I try to go faster than 50, I literally can’t do it. I can press the accelerator as hard as I want, but nothing happens.” The system isn’t completely rigid, though: grants three overrides per month for emergency situations or necessary overtaking. Many thanks.
Who will have to install it?
We are not talking about a generalized measure. At least for now. The GPS limiter, as mentioned, will be mandatory only for repeat offenders of speed: anyone who has accumulated too many violations or who is convicted of reckless driving above 160 km/h.
In Virginia, which will be the first state to activate the system in July 2026, the device automatically triggers for anyone caught speeding over 160 km/h. The state of Washington will follow in January 2029 with similar criteria: speeding 32 km/h over the limit (if above 64 km/h) or 16 km/h over (if below 64 km/h).
The price of speed
As I wrote in the title, speeding pays. Literally. Drivers will have to pay for everything: installation, removal, and a $21 monthly fee. Attempting to tamper with the device is a crime that can result in up to a year in prison. A significant deterrent.
Governor Bob Ferguson Washington was clear: “The goal is very simple: save lives.” The numbers they agree with him: in the United States Speeding causes 29% of all road deaths, killing over 33 people a day. Once again, the equation is this: security in exchange for freedom.

The tragedy that changed everything
There is a painful history behind this law. The BEAM Act takes its name from Boyd-Buster Brown, Eloise Wilcoxson, Andrea Smith Hudson e Matilda Wilcoxson: four people killed in an accident caused by Chase Jones, an eighteen-year-old who had already had three total accidents for speeding. Jones was convicted to 17 years in prison, but for the families of the victims it is too little, too late.
GPS Limiter, an Experiment Looking to the Future
As often happens with controversial innovations, the United States is experimenting with what Europe has already made it mandatory: From July 2024, all new cars sold in the European Union must have intelligent speed assistance systems. I'm sure not everyone knew that.
The difference? In Europe the system simply warns. In America, for repeat offenders, the system physically intervenes. It's a tougher but perhaps more effective approach. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, an increase of just 8 km/h in speed limits causes 8,5% more deaths on motorways.
Other states are watching with interest. Georgia, Maryland, New York, and California have similar projects in the works. California has already rejected a similar proposal, but may reconsider given the results.
The GPS limiter is one of the scenarios, perhaps the most probable, in the future of road safety during the long transition towards autonomous driving: less human controls, more technological controls.
For serial sprinters, the days of “fine and go” are over. The satellite now plays the policeman, for now only with the “bad guys”. And it does not forgive.