Imagine flooring your gas pedal… and your car saying no.

That’s the reality headed for millions of American drivers as federal officials and blue-state governments push for mandatory “Intelligent Speed Assistance” (ISA) in all new cars — a system that would cap your speed based on GPS, road signs, or remote infrastructure data.

By 2030, this could be law.

The idea sounds noble on paper: more than 12,000 traffic deaths a year are linked to speeding. Proponents argue that smarter tech can save lives, just like seatbelt laws once did. But there’s a major catch — or several.

Loss of driver control, privacy concerns, infrastructure costs, and creeping federal overreach are all baked into this plan. For many, it’s not about safety anymore — it’s about control.

The push for control

The Biden-era infrastructure bill quietly opened the door to federally mandated speed limiters. Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board is pushing for mandatory ISA in all new vehicles by 2030. New York and Virginia are already piloting versions of the tech, and some automakers like Volvo and BMW are voluntarily building it in.

And it’s not just advisory alerts. In Europe, where ISA is now mandatory in all new cars, the system can literally override your gas pedal, capping your speed — whether you’re passing a semi-truck or trying to get out of a dangerous situation.

What the tech does

Intelligent Speed Assistance combines GPS, map data, and onboard cameras to detect speed limits in real time. Then, it can:

• Beep at you when you go too fast
• Gently resist your foot on the accelerator
• Or fully cap your speed without your consent

And that’s not all. Pair it with “Vehicle-to-Infrastructure” systems (V2I), and your car will start communicating with traffic lights, school zones, or other government-run sensors. Some systems could even report your behavior back to insurers — or law enforcement.

Think of it as a black box that fines you — while you drive.

What could go wrong?

A lot. The U.S. has diverse roads, outdated signage, and inconsistent weather — all of which can confuse automated systems. GPS data isn’t always accurate. Mapping errors could leave you stuck at 25 mph on a highway.

Then there’s the data tracking. If insurers or governments can access your speed history, your insurance rates could soar, or you could receive speeding tickets — even when you’re not behind the wheel.

And forget about retrofitting older cars. Most can’t support the tech. For millions of low-income drivers, that means buying a new, more expensive car — or being left behind.

Slippery slope to digital fences

This isn’t just about ISA. Speed limiters are the front end of a larger push to digitally fence your driving behavior. Combine them with geo-fencing, emissions controls, and electric vehicle mandates, and the path becomes clear: a future where the government sets the boundaries of your mobility.

It’s not just that they want to stop you from speeding — they want to decide where, when, and how far you can go.

A better way?

There are smarter, less invasive ways to improve safety:

• Better driver education
• Targeted enforcement in high-risk zones
• Road design improvements
• Public awareness campaigns
• Incentivizing voluntary ISA for high-risk drivers

But those ideas don’t come with the kind of top-down control bureaucrats crave. And that’s what makes this fight so critical.

The road ahead

This issue is coming to a head fast. With the 2030 federal target looming and states like California and New York leading the charge, the time to push back is now.

If Americans don’t stand up for their right to drive — and to make informed decisions behind the wheel — they may soon find themselves passengers in cars they supposedly own.

Mandatory speed control is not about public safety. It’s about public obedience.