Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Blog
What are Speed Limiting Devices?
Speeding is one of the leading causes of vehicle accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about one-third of all traffic fatalities are related to speeding. Speeding is not only considered a traffic violation, but in some cases, it can also be a criminal act. Reckless driving, for example, is a Class 2 misdemeanor in North Carolina. Some states are contemplating whether to require speed-limiting devices as a penalty for certain types of speeding violations. What are these devices, and how will they be used?
What are Speed Limiting Devices?
Speed limiting devices are also called intelligent speed assistance technology. Speed limiting devices are pieces of equipment that are installed on vehicles to prevent the vehicle from traveling over a specific rate of speed. There are currently two main types of intelligent speed assist technology, including the intelligent speed limiter and the supportive accelerator pedal. A survey by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that a majority of those surveyed approve of the use of these types of devices.
How Would Speed Limiting Devices Be Used?
Some states have been considering the utilization of speed-limiting devices on vehicles as a deterrent for speeding violations, such as reckless driving, street racing, or repeated speeding infractions. When someone is found guilty of an aggravated speeding violation, the driver may be ordered to install a speed-limiting device before the reinstatement of driving privileges. The device implementation is similar to the ignition interlock devices that are sometimes required after DUI convictions.
Virginia Implemented the Use of Speed-Limiting Devices
Virginia legislation recently implemented laws that allow the use of speed-limiting devices. Starting in July 2026, a judge may sentence a person who is guilty of some types of speeding violations. The judge could order the defendant to install a speed-limiting device as a condition of reinstatement of a person’s driver’s license. This could be in addition to other penalties that may include fines, community service, probation, and incarceration, depending on the circumstances. Other states are considering enacting similar laws.
Reckless driving is a serious charge and one that you will want to defend. Currently, North Carolina does not include speed-limiting devices as a penalty. However, a misdemeanor conviction comes with severe penalties. These include incarceration of up to 60 days, fines of up to $1,000, and suspension of your driver’s license as well as points on your driving record.
Currently, North Carolina does not utilize speed limiting devices as part of their possible sentencing options. However, the laws may change, so it is best to check with your attorney to discuss the charges against you and the possible penalties if convicted.
If you have been charged with a speeding violation, you may want to fight the charges. An experienced criminal defense attorney will assist you through the legal process and help you resolve the matter and defend your rights. Contact us at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to talk to our legal team.
The criminal defense attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC make it their mission to zealously defend their clients on a wide range of criminal matters at both the state and federal levels. These matters may include any charge from traffic offenses; DWI/DUI; drug charges (from simple possession to possession with intent to distribute and trafficking); gun permit denials; weapons offenses; and property crimes (larceny, breaking and entering, robbery, fraud, embezzlement, white collar offenses); to sexually related offenses (indecent exposure; sexual assault, crimes against nature, removal from sex offender registry); and violent crimes (domestic violence; assault; manslaughter; homicide, murder). Other legal issues that Arnold & Smith, PLLC criminal clients may be facing include restraining orders, restraining order and probation violations, expungements; appeals; and immigration issues related to criminal charges. Our criminal defense attorneys are passionate about ensuring that individuals empower themselves by being informed about their constitutional rights and stand at the ready to fight in the defense of those facing criminal charges.
Source:
https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_20/gs_20-140.html
Image Credit:
https://www.freeimages.com/photo/speed-1187851
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