Washington recently made progress by requiring drivers to install a device that restricts their vehicle’s speed to the permitted speed limit of the zone they are in. This law, known as the BEAM Act, is now in effect and will start to be put into effect in 2029.
Only 731 people died in road accidents in Washington in 2024, compared to 809 in 2023 (the year with the highest number of fatalities since 1990).
They have advocated for this law, which attempts to save lives and lessen the accidents that occur almost daily, since they recognize that this is a serious issue.
Since hundreds and hundreds of people die on the roads each year, the BEAM Act was designed to make roadways safe for everyone.
The majority of the families impacted by speeding have backed this law, which Governor Bob Ferguson signed. Its primary objective is very clear: to end the tragedy of loved ones dying as a result of careless driving.
What is involved in this law?
The technology, which has been dubbed “intelligent speed assistance,” will function as a built-in speed restriction in the vehicle itself by using GPS to stop drivers from going over the posted speed limit in their current location.
Therefore, the system will not permit you to accelerate if you are traveling in a residential neighborhood with a 40 km/h speed limit and you wish to exceed 55 or 48 km/h. Pressing the accelerator won’t increase your speed, and attempting to get around this device will undoubtedly result in a fine.
As previously stated, there have been numerous accidents in Washington, but one of the most well-known occurred in March 2024 when Chase Jones, who also had prior records for this kind of driving, killed three children, ages 12 and 13, as well as an adult.
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Although his crimes were not unpunished—he was given a 17-year prison sentence, which, incidentally, seems excessive to us—it is clear that those four lives—as well as many more—could have been saved with the use of a speed-limiting device.
It is tragic how many people in Washington have died as a result of speeding. The incidents have caused irreversible wounds and the loss of a loved one for hundreds of families.
The BEAM Act offers solace and the hope that other families won’t have to go through the same ordeal, according to Ted Smith, the father of one of the King County victims.
The BEAM Act is a method to guarantee that everyone who drives or just walks down the street can get home safely, but it will require a team effort.
In addition to reducing fatalities, the BEAM Act’s adoption will offer families a voice in the fight for everyone’s safety. Safely returning home should be the standard, not an option.
