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Intelligent Speed Assistance: A New Tool for Safer Roads

Intelligent Speed Assistance: A New Tool for Safer Roads
May 13, 2026

Speeding remains one of the most persistent and deadly threats on U.S. roadways. GHSA has produced a comprehensive new guidebook to help states use Intelligent Speed Assistance technology to combat this preventable behavior.

The guidebook details steps and actions for State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs) to help support and advance the adoption of active Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA). This in-vehicle technology identifies the posted speed limit and ensures the driver does not exceed it. Speeding has historically been difficult to manage through roadway design alone, but ISA provides a proactive, technology-driven intervention that can reduce crash risk and injury severity.

There are a growing number of examples of ISA’s effectiveness at the local level. In New York City, a pilot program involving 500 fleet vehicles saw a 64% reduction in time spent driving significantly over the speed limit. Similarly, a District of Columbia school bus pilot logged 10,000 miles with zero speeding events, proving the technology can ensure that those responsible for our most vulnerable passengers consistently follow the law.

4 Key Recommendations

While active ISA could benefit all drivers, the guidebook highlights three groups – repeat speeding offenders, fleet drivers and newly licensed teens – who would benefit the most. It outlines how state safety officials can support ISA deployment and lead the transition to a safer, speed-compliant culture. Key recommendations include:

  • Creating Tech-Focused Safety Plans: State officials should consider adding active ISA programs to their highway safety plans, prioritizing data-driven prevention.
  • Launching Local Pilot Programs: By testing ISA in government and contractor vehicle fleets, states can gather local data to show the public how effectively technology prevents crashes.
  • Modernizing Driver Education: Introducing ISA technology to parents and teens during the learning process provides families another tool to help new drivers build safe habits.
  • Advancing Smarter Enforcement: Training programs enable judges and law enforcement to apply ISA as an intervention for habitual speeding offenders, preserving road safety without relying solely on license suspension.

“Speeding-related deaths remain a vexing problem and traditional approaches have only been modestly successful. Including a technological solution such as ISA can make a big impact.”

Jonathan Adkins
CEO, GHSA

Partner

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Term raw: GHSA Reports | Slug: ghsa-reports
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