Speed technology bill is at risk – help pressure key legislators to support SB 961

SB 961 would require all cars and trucks manufactured or sold in California to give an audio and visual alert to drivers when they’re going more than 10 MPH above the speed limit, starting in 2030.

This commonsense legislation would help take on the #1 cause of severe and fatal traffic crashes in California: speeding. And it would do so at a crucial time, when the automobile industry is making bigger, heavier, more powerful vehicles than ever – with many accelerating to 60 MPH in just seconds.

A vote by the full California Assembly on SB 961 was supposed to happen this week.

But the vote on SB 961 is now happening late next week, and we’re glad. That’s because we’ve learned that 17 legislators are still on-the-fence about supporting SB 961, and this gives all of us more time to influence them. Without their support, the bill is unlikely to pass.

We need to demand these legislators stand up to the automobile industry to save lives from dangerous speeding. Call and/or email these 17 Assemblymembers over the next few days.

• Email Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (San Fernando Valley): (916) 319-2046
• Email Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (Riverside, San Bernardino): (916) 319-2058
• Email Assemblymember Mike Gipson (Compton, Carson, Willowbrook): (916) 319-2065
• Email Assemblymember Timothy Grayson (Concord, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill): (916) 319-2015
• Call Assemblymember Chris Holden (Northern San Gabriel Valley): (916) 319-2041
• Email Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (Inland Orange County): (916) 319-2073
• Email Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (Northern Orange County): (916) 319-2067
• Email Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria (Fresno, Madera, Merced): (916) 319-2027
• Email Assemblymember Tasha Boerner (San Diego): (916) 319-2077
• Email Assemblymember Brian Maienscheinn (San Diego): (916) 319-2076
• Email Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen (Sacramento, Elk Grove): (916) 319-2010
• Email Assemblymember James Ramos (San Bernardino): (916) 319-2045
• Email Assemblymember Luz Rivas (San Fernando, Sylmar, and Pacoima): (916) 319-2043
• Email Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (Riverside, Imperial): (916) 319-2036
• Email Assemblymember Akilah Weber (San Diego, La Mesa, El Cajon): (916) 319-2079
• Email Assemblymember Robert Rivas (Pajaro, Salinas): (916) 319-2029
• Email Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley): (916) 319-2040

It doesn’t matter if you’re a constituent of these legislators. This issue is much bigger than any one district. Dangerous speeding is happening everywhere and affects everyone. California has the chance to lead in harnessing advanced driver assistance technology to better protect people inside – and outside – of vehicles.

Phone Script

Hello. My name is ________ and I’m calling in support of SB 961, Senator Wiener’s Intelligent Speed Assistance bill.

(If you have a direct connection to a speed-related traffic crash, share it with your comment.)
Dangerous speeding kills more than 1,000 Californians each year, and hurts tens of thousands more people. I’m asking Assemblymember ______ to stand up to the auto industry and support this commonsense solution to save lives.

Europe is already requiring this technology in all vehicles, and the majority of Americans support Intelligent Speed Assistance. There isn’t time to wait in using technology to encourage safe speeds. Thank you.

How to Fill Out an Assemblymember’s Contact Form

After adding your contact information, add in this message:

I’m writing in support of SB 961, Senator Wiener’s Intelligent Speed Assistance bill.

Dangerous speeding kills more than 1,000 Californians each year, and hurts tens of thousands more people. I’m asking the Assemblymember to stand up to the auto industry and support this commonsense solution to save lives.

Europe is already requiring this technology in all vehicles, and the majority of Americans support Intelligent Speed Assistance. There isn’t time to wait in using technology to encourage safe speeds. Thank you.

Let’s make history for safe streets!

If passed, SB 961 would bring needed safety technology into the vehicle fleet in California and likely our entire country – just like when seat belt laws started at the state level. Learn more about SB 961.