BySenators Liias, C. Wilson, Dhingra, Keiser, Lovick, Randall, Rivers, Rolfes, and Saldaña

TO THE HONORABLE JOSEPH R. BIDEN, JR., PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED:

We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

WHEREAS, According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, traffic accidents caused 2,580 deaths between 2016 and 2020; and

WHEREAS, From 2007 to 2016, speeding-related crashes caused 111,580 motor vehicle deaths, which accounted for 37 percent of traffic fatalities in Washington State and 31 percent of all traffic fatalities during the years mentioned; and

WHEREAS, In 2020, traffic deaths had risen to the highest amount since 2007 despite there being a 13.2 percent decrease in miles driven in the same year; and

WHEREAS, Speeding increases the fatality of traffic accidents and causes a greater danger to pedestrians and those in other vehicles; and

WHEREAS, The significant increases in traffic-related deaths since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic have inspired the United States Department of Transportation to create the Department's first National Roadway Safety Strategy, which will produce a comprehensive plan aimed at reducing serious injuries and deaths caused by traffic accidents; and

WHEREAS, Intelligent speed adaptation (ISA) technology refers to the vehicular use of Global Positioning Systems to track speed limits on roads and notify the driver; and

WHEREAS, In a trial from the Centre for Road Safety of New South Wales, Australia, when ISA technology was implemented, speeding was reduced in 89 percent of vehicles, and the median probability of speeding was reduced by 30 percent; and

WHEREAS, Based on multiple studies showing that the use of ISA technology will significantly reduce the number of accidents and deaths, the European Union decided to mandate that all new motor vehicles built in member countries after July of 2022 include ISA technology; and

WHEREAS, The implementation of ISA technology will significantly reduce speeding and increase road safety in the United States;

NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully urge members of the United States Congress to enact federal legislation mandating the use of intelligent speed adaptation technology in all new motor vehicles.

BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.