California Gov. Gavin Newsom Vetoes Car Speed Alarm Bill
In a rare victory for liberty in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom refused to sign into law Senate Bill (S.B.) 961, which would have required every passenger vehicle after the 2030 model year to beep each time its driver goes more than 10 miles per hour above the speed limit. Unfortunately, Newsom did not cite regulatory overreach but interference with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as his reason for passing on the bill.
In a Saturday press release, Newsom expressed concern that California-specific vehicle rules “would create a patchwork of regulations that undermines [NHTSA’s] longstanding federal framework.” Appealing to federal rulemaking is an odd tack for Newsom to take considering the governor touted California’s “17 bills covering the deployment and regulation of GenAI technology” yesterday.
Sen. Scott Wiener (D–San Francisco), the author of S.B. 961, was none too pleased by Newsom’s refusal. In his own Saturday press release, Wiener described Newsom’s veto as “a setback for street safety at a time Californians are feeling extremely unsafe.” While Californians may feel unsafe, their sentiments are unsupported by the data on traffic deaths.
There is no crisis of pedestrian vehicle deaths, despite the NHTSA’s claim to the contrary. The agency’s proposed rule aims to establish new “performance requirements to minimize the risk of head injury” in head-to-hood collisions, set to take effect two years after the final rule’s publication in the Federal Register. Yet per-capita pedestrian deaths have steadily decreased from 35 p
Article from Reason.com
The Reason Magazine website is a go-to destination for libertarians seeking cogent analysis, investigative reporting, and thought-provoking commentary. Championing the principles of individual freedom, limited government, and free markets, the site offers a diverse range of articles, videos, and podcasts that challenge conventional wisdom and advocate for libertarian solutions. Whether you’re interested in politics, culture, or technology, Reason provides a unique lens that prioritizes liberty and rational discourse. It’s an essential resource for those who value critical thinking and nuanced debate in the pursuit of a freer society.