Add Two Points to Driving Record for Speeding 26 MPH Over Limit

A bill that would add two points to a California driver’s record for going over the speed limit by 26 miles per hour or more saw a rise a rise of support in the past week amongst both advocates and lawmakers before the bill’s crucial Senate Appropriations Committee vote during Suspense Day on Thursday.

Senate Bill 1509, authored by Senator Henry Stern (D-Malibu), would update California’s Negligent Operators points system by specifying that a conviction of driving a vehicle at a speed that exceeds the posted speed limit by 26 miles per hour or more on a highway with a posted speed limit for passenger vehicles of 55 miles per hour or less shall be given a value of 2 points. The bill, also known as the Negligent Operator Treatment (NOT) in California Act, would also hold such drivers accountable for their speeding.

Under the current DMV negligent driver points system, speeding only gets drivers a single point. Two point convictions are generally reserved for more serious incidents, such as driving under the influence or performing a hit and run. In addition, a driver’s license can be suspended for accumulating six points in 12 months, eight points in 24 months, and ten points in 36 month. Should SB 1509 be passed, many drivers would likely reach the suspension level of points much quicker.

Senator Stern authored the bill because of the rise of traffic deaths and speed related collisions across the state. Stern specifically noted how Los Angeles saw a 20-year high of 336 traffic deaths in 2023. Statewide, traffic deaths also skyrocketed dramatically. In 2020, 1,288 Californians died in speed-related collisions. But based on the number of deaths so far in 2023, if the rate holds throughout the year, the total may top 4,000. Dangerous speed-related events that often end in injury or death, like speed racing, only started to decline last year after years of gaining popularity.

Senator Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks), a co-author of SB 1509, noted last week that “Speeding and reckless driving has reached untenable levels post-pandemic. We must do more to hold this dangerous activity liable.  SB 1509 will provide for that needed accountability.”

SB 1509 gains traction in Senate

SB 1509, with bipartisan backing, easily passed a Senate Transportation Committee vote last month in a 12-1 with 2 abstentions vote. However, the Senate Appropriations Committee then placed the bill in the suspense file, delaying the vote there until May 16th. With the key vote set, advocates for the bill, such as groups representing the families of speeding victims, joined with lawmakers in bringing about support of the bill. SB 1509 quickly gained even more support earlier this month thanks to their actions, culminating in a press conference on Monday attended by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers.

At the press conference on Monday, Senator Stern noted that “SB 1509 represents a vital step forward in ensuring the safety of our roadways by holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions, we can prevent unnecessary loss of life and make our streets safer for all Californians. The urgency of SB 1509 cannot be overstated, as recent tragic events across California underscore the pressing need for measures to address reckless driving behaviors. SB 1509 aims to curb such tragedies by holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions and implementing measures to deter speeding behaviors, ultimately working towards a safer future for all Californians.”

According to Capitol insiders, the efforts in bill supporters and advocates in the last several weeks have indeed boosting the profile of SB 1509 and increased support of the bill before the Committee vote.

“There were still many lawmakers unsure of making speeding that serious of an infraction,”  Capitol staffer Dana, told the Globe on Wednesday. “But what Stern and Niello have been doing for [SB 1509] has really brought more people around. The number of speeding victims they have telling their stories of lost loved ones has also been huge. Equating speeding at such a high speed with some of the worst traffic offenses was a smart play, as the stories and high death statistics are hard to argue against. Both human feelings and logic being on the same side like that for a bill. It’s always a strong combination.”

“There might be a few people still voting against this one, especially if they think if this will lead to a rise in the number of suspended licenses in the state. But this is a safety bill through and through, and it should be passed at the [Senate] Appropriations Committee tomorrow during Suspense Day.”

Should SB 1509 pass the Senate Appropriations Committee tomorrow, the bill is to go to a full Senate vote.