One of the main concerns of the authorities and the population of the state of Washington is the number of accidents caused by speeding, many of which end in fatal outcomes. This is why, along with the signatures of citizens, Governor Bob Ferguson has launched the Beam Law. This law aims to restore safety to the state’s roads, especially targeting those repeat offenders of speeding. It consists of the installation of a GPS device in the vehicle, with “intelligent speed assistance.” They are designed to restrict the speed of the car, adapting it to the speed limit of the road it is on. No matter how much the accelerator is pressed, the car will not increase in speed.
This new law and its restrictive measure have been very well received by the population, who believe it is very necessary. Directly or indirectly, everyone has been affected by a traffic accident and the loss of a loved one. The case from King County in 2024 was very well-known internationally when Chase Jones caused the death of 4 people; two 12-year-old children and one 13-year-old: Boyd Buster Brown, Eloise Wilcoxson, Andrea Smith Hudson, Matilda Wilcoxson, due to speeding.
After being sentenced to 17 years in prison, the parents of the victims continue to demand the need to avoid and prevent such events. This is why the 1956 House in the Washington State Senate gathers all its suggestions and has focused on trying to remedy these situations. Mari Leavitt, the main investor in the BEAM Law devices, stated, “It is the family members who have brought us to today. They are the ones who were willing to share their story time and time again”.
BEAM Act
The roads of the state of Washington seem to have a common problem; speeding. Citizens have shown their approval for the measure implemented by Governor Bob Ferguson, in an effort to try to reduce and prevent these situations, which often end in terrible outcomes. The BEAM Law, which is the name it has received, is clear and simple. All drivers with a history of reckless driving or speeding will be given a GPS device capable of limiting the speed of their vehicle. The law will come into effect in January 2029 with the aim of restoring safety to the state’s roads.
How does it work?
The GPS-equipped device also has ‘smart speed assistance.’ What does that mean? That thanks to the combination of both, the device is capable of locating the vehicle, knowing which stretch of road it is on, and what the speed limits are. In that case, no matter how much the driver steps on the accelerator, the car will not increase its speed.
There will be no way to exceed the speed limit while the device is in operation. As is logical, those who attempt to tamper with these devices will suffer even worse consequences. The main investor in these devices, Mari Leavitt, stated “If I am in a residential zone of 25 miles per hour, and I want to go beyond 35 or 34 or 30, depending on how it is set, I literally can’t do it. I can step on the pedal as hard as I want and I can’t”.
Accident in King County
The citizens of Washington have suffered the most fatal consequences of a traffic accident, whether directly or indirectly. One of the most famous cases even at an international level was the accident that occurred in King County, where Chase Jones caused the death of 4 minors aged 12 and 13: Boyd Buster Brown, Eloise Wilcoxson, Andrea Smith Hudson, Matilda Wilcoxson. The reason? Reckless driving and speeding.
Because of this, although he was sentenced to 17 years in prison, the parents of the children continue to raise their voices for this cause. One of them stated about the BEAM Law, ‘In our situation, four lives could have been saved with this technology.’ This is why the 1956 House bill in the Washington State Senate includes everything that citizens propose in this regard. Representative Leavitt said, “They are the members of the family who have brought us to this day. They are the ones who were willing to share their story over and over again”.
Measures that have been implemented in Colorado to reduce speeding.