Washington state politicians have given up trying to keep dangerous criminals off the streets.
Instead, they’re going after law-abiding drivers who might drive a little too fast.
And Washington just passed a law that puts the government in the driver’s seat of your car – literally.
Democrat Governor Signs First Step Toward Complete Driving Control
Washington Democrat Governor Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 1596 into law in May, making Washington the second state to force certain drivers to install "Intelligent Speed Assistance" devices in their vehicles.¹
The devices use GPS technology to prevent cars from going over posted speed limits.
Starting January 1, 2029, drivers with suspended licenses for "reckless driving" or "excessive speeding" will have to install these government monitoring devices if they want restricted driving privileges back.²
Ferguson claims it’s about "saving lives," but anyone paying attention knows this is really about something else entirely.
The law also allows judges to order these devices as conditions of pre-trial release or probation – meaning you could be forced to accept government control of your vehicle before you’re even convicted of anything.³
The Government Decides What Counts as "Excessive" Speeding
Here’s where things get really interesting.
Washington’s law defines "excessive speeding" as going just 10 mph over the speed limit in areas under 40 mph, or 20 mph over on faster roads.⁴
That means driving 35 mph in a 25 mph residential zone could eventually land you with a government monitor in your car.
Anyone who’s driven through school zones or construction areas knows how easy it is to accidentally exceed these limits, especially when speed limits change rapidly or signs are poorly marked.
But Washington Democrats don’t care about practicality or fairness.
They want control.
The Real Goal: Tracking and Controlling All Drivers
Don’t let them fool you with talk about "repeat offenders" and "public safety."
This is phase one of a much larger plan.
Virginia became the first state to pass similar legislation, followed by Georgia.⁵
Washington, D.C. already requires these devices for repeat speeders.
California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed similar legislation last year, but only after massive pushback from constituents who understood what was really happening.
The European Union already requires these devices in all new vehicles.⁶
Once the technology is normalized for "dangerous drivers," the next step is mandatory installation in all vehicles.
They’ll use the same playbook they always do: start with a sympathetic group (repeat speeders), then expand to everyone else for "safety" and "equity."
Your Car, Their Rules
Under Washington’s law, drivers must pay for installation and removal of the device, plus $21 per month to keep it running.⁷
The government graciously allows you three "overrides" per month – meaning you can exceed the speed limit three times before the device completely shuts you down.
What happens in a medical emergency when you’ve already used your three monthly overrides?
What happens when GPS data is wrong and shows a lower speed limit than actually posted?
What happens when construction zones or weather conditions require driving faster than normal for safety?
Washington politicians don’t care about these scenarios because this isn’t really about safety.
It’s about establishing the precedent that government can control how you drive your own vehicle.
The Pattern Is Always the Same
First they came for drunk drivers with ignition interlock devices.
Most people supported that because drunk driving genuinely endangers innocent people.
Now they’re coming for speeders with GPS limiters.
Many people will support this because "excessive speeding" sounds dangerous.
Next, they’ll come for everyone with mandatory government monitoring devices in all vehicles.
They’ll claim it’s to prevent all traffic violations, reduce emissions, or ensure "equity" in transportation.
By then, it’ll be too late to stop them.
Washington Exempts the Real Criminals
While Washington forces speed limiters on drivers who go 35 in a 25 mph zone, they continue letting actual criminals walk free.
Car thieves, drug dealers, and violent felons get minimal sentences while working families face government surveillance for minor traffic violations.
The state that gave us the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone – where criminals literally took over part of Seattle – now wants to monitor how fast you drive to work.
That tells you everything you need to know about their real priorities.
This isn’t about public safety.
It’s about control over law-abiding Americans who still follow the rules.
The Washington law doesn’t take effect until 2029, giving other states time to pass similar legislation and manufacturers time to make the technology standard in all vehicles.
Mark this date on your calendar, because January 1, 2029 is when the government officially gets behind the wheel of your car.
And they’re just getting started.
¹ Jake Goldstein-Street, "Washington to rein in fast drivers with speed limiters," Washington State Standard, May 12, 2025.
² Governing Staff, "Washington Requires Speed-Limiting Devices for Reckless Drivers," Governing, May 13, 2025.
³ Ibid.
⁴ Ibid.
⁵ Ibid.
⁶ Ibid.
⁷ Ibid.
