PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia is on its way towards implementing a law that would use technology to slow down speeding drivers. 

The goal of HB2096 is to crack down on those convicted of speeding related offenses with an alternative option known as the Intelligent Speed Assistance Program.  

If someone is convicted of reckless driving, or another speed related offense, a judge could order that person to have a device installed in their car that limits their ability to speed.  

If an offender is found going more than 100 mph, then the device would be required with a restricted license.   

“Most of the time those people are going to go to jail and they’re gonna have their license suspended,” said local attorney Tim Anderson. “But this gives the judge an alternative to doing those things by putting, essentially, a governor on the individual’s car to make sure that they can’t go above the posted speed limit for whatever period of time the judge orders.”

Anderson explained this is similar to things that already exist in the Commonwealth.

“If you get a DUI, an alcohol related offense, the court imposes a machine on your car that you have to blow into to start it,” Anderson said. “This is really no different. If you get convicted of reckless driving in Virginia, that’s a criminal offense, and this would be a punishment that the court would be imposing under the Criminal Code.”

Tammy Guido McGee, executive director of the Gweedo Memorial Foundation, advocated for the bill to pass in partnership with Families for Safe Streets. 

Her son, 16-year-old son Conner, was killed in a crash involving a reckless driver in 2019 in Yorktown. She believes if this had been a law then, her son would still be here. 

“This is a great piece of technology to help stop speeders here in Virginia,” Guido McGee said.  

The bill passed the General Assembly and was sent to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s desk to sign. However, the governor sent it back with an amendment. 

Once it is accepted, it would go into effect in July 2026.

Guido McGee said Virginia is the first state to make this technology law, so she hopes others will follow Virginia’s lead.

“It’s going to take everyone, from the police officers to the judges to make sure that this is implemented,” she said, “and that it will continue to save lives.”