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I try to be a responsible and cautious driver. But I am hesitant to admit how often I find myself driving along wondering, Am I in a 45 mph zone or a 60 mph zone? I’ve even been known to open my navigation app just because I know it will show me the current speed limit. So I wouldn’t mind if California requires new cars show drivers the current speed limit. The feature–if unobtrusive–could actually save me some trouble.

When Ford built my 1988 F-150, the federally-mandated speed limit was 55 mph. The truck’s speedometer goes up to 100, but after 55 mph the gauge turns red. Like the “danger” zone on the tachometer. Accidentally driving that rig too fast isn’t a problem I have on my 33-inch tires. But I appreciate Ford’s thoughtfulness.

An increasing number of new vehicles have digital speedometers. One unobtrusive way to communicate the speed limit would be a similar red “danger” zone on the speedometer set by your current speed limit. Another option would be a little “current speed limit” window on the dashboard. I love both of these ideas.

California highway patrol officer talking to the driver of a speeding car by the side of the highway.
California highway patrol | Sundry Photography via iStockPhoto

What I don’t love is an active speed limiter built into new cars. The idea, floated from time to time by various governments, is that they tell automakers how fast they want residents driving. When automakers offer cars in that state, there’s a limiter–ironically called a “governor”–that keeps you from getting above a certain mph.

The current California law, which was passed by the state senate, is called SB 961. It calls for “passive speed limiters” installed on all new cars sold in 2032 and beyond. They will “warn drivers with audible and visual signals when they exceed the speed limit by greater than ten miles per hour.”

I don’t love the “audible” signals part of the system. I don’t think we need yet another distraction for drivers, especially while speeding up and changing lanes to complete a pass in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the 101. But overall, cars telling me what the current speed limit is could be a useful bit of data.

Next, read how California banned chrome, or learn about the first draft of California senate’s SB 961 and its “active speed limiter” proposal in the video below:

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.