Rep. Foushee Introduces Slow Down Act to Target Repeat and Extreme Speeding

WASHINGTON, DC (July 23, 2026) - Today, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) introduced the Slow Down Act, legislation designed to provide further federal assistance to states looking to establish and strengthen programs targeting drivers who repeatedly or severely exceed speed limits.

"When someone repeatedly chooses to drive far above the speed limit, they put every person around them at risk, especially people walking or riding a bicycle. People should be able to walk through their neighborhood, bike to work, or cross the street without fearing that one reckless driver could change their lives forever," said Congresswoman Foushee. "States like North Carolina are already looking for practical ways to slow down their most dangerous drivers before another family is forced to grieve a preventable loss. The Slow Down Act would ensure states have the federal support they need by providing resources to support early intervention, hold dangerous drivers accountable, reduce pedestrian fatalities, and make our roads safer for everyone."

Pedestrian fatalities have risen sharply in recent years, increasing by 72 percent between 2009 and 2024. The Slow Down Act would update existing federal highway safety guidelines to explicitly include super speeder programs that utilize intelligent speed assistance technology as an eligible use of federal funds for states striving to rein in reckless speeders and protect pedestrians in their communities. This will give states like North Carolina a clearer path to use federal funding to deploy and implement these programs-providing more support to states that already have super speeder programs in place while incentivizing other states to develop their own.

Super speeder programs are designed specifically to rein in repeat and reckless speeders via penalties, fines, license restrictions, driver-safety courses, and intelligent speed assistance technology. In North Carolina, lawmakers are considering a state-level super speeder proposal that would use intelligent speed assistance for certain repeat and extreme speeders. The Slow Down Act would unlock federal funds to bolster this state program should both measures be enacted.

The Slow Down Act is endorsed by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, Families for Safe Streets, and League of American Bicyclists.

"Speeding is a deadly and preventable threat which contributed to nearly 30 percent of traffic fatalities in 2024. One proven solution is the use of intelligent speed assistance (ISA) programs for repeat and 'super speeders.' The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has called for state ISA laws, and momentum for this policy has been growing with eight states and D.C. having enacted some form of an ISA law within the last two years. The Slow Down Act would expand on this progress by making certain federal highway safety funds available to assist states in establishing and implementing ISA programs. We commend Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-NC) for introducing this lifesaving legislation and urge Congress to enact it.," said Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.

"For families like mine, this legislation cannot come soon enough," said Amy Cohen, Founder & President of Families for Safe Streets, whose 12-year-old son died in a crash. "Repeat and reckless speeders are a known and predictable danger, and we've had the technology to stop them for years. Intelligent speed assistance is not about punishing one mistake; it's about ensuring that after a pattern of reckless, repeated violations, a vehicle simply cannot be driven the same way again. This provision says clearly: if you've shown us again and again that you won't slow down, the law will make sure your car does. We're grateful to Representative Foushee for helping incentivize states to implement Stop Super Speeders programs before more families like mine lose someone they love in a preventable crash. We urge Congress to move this legislation forward without delay."

"Speed kills. We know that all too well, and yet there are too many repeat offenders and super speeders- those going 100 mph and more- on our roads. We thank Representative Foushee for her leadership in supporting states who are working to address this epidemic," said Bill Nesper, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists.

The full text of the bill can be found here.