New DMV Pilot Program Targets High-Speed Drivers
The California Department of Motor Vehicles in partnership with the California Highway Patrol have introduced a new pilot program to target and punish drivers who drive at 100 mph or greater. Known as the Forwarded Actions for Speeding Tickets (FAST) is an experiment by the California State Legislature, the California Attorney General, the California Department of Motor Vehicles and the California Highway Patrol, to specifically focus on a particular group of drivers and to remove them from the road quickly. This experiment is authorized by an amendment to the California Vehicle Code ……. Under Section 13355.
The FAST program came into existence when a study revealed the number of fatal traffic collisions in California caused by high-speed drivers is rising at an alarming rate. In years past, the California DMV could only take action against a high-speed driver if they were convicted in court. Under CVC Section 13355, the California DMV is now empowered to review a case and then to suspend or revoke the driving privilege of any driver who is simply cited for speeding over 100 mph. In other words, the allegation alone is enough to suspend or revoke a person’s privilege to drive. A court conviction is no longer required
While an offending driver may see their licenses suspended or revoked by the court process, the FAST program allows the DMV to target high-speed drivers in a much more timely and efficient manner.
Traffic collisions that are the result of speeding above 100 mph account for 1/3 of all highway fatalities in California each year. Conventional wisdom is that over 100 mph a driver is not driving a car…… they’re aiming a missile. Reaction times are decreased and the crush-factor of metal colliding at high-speed is devastating.
CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said, “Our priority is to protect the motoring public. Driving over 100 mph is not a mistake. It is a reckless choice that endangers everyone on the road.
The DMV will be studying the results of the program and its effectiveness on traffic safety. That information will be reported back to the California State Legislature.
While the topic above clearly creates an argument for speed enforcement, not all fatality cases are the driver’s fault. In some cases, innocent drivers are involved in accidents that are simply unavoidable. In situations like this, fighting for one’s rights may prevent an innocent driver from being unjustly punished. When choosing a DMV Defense Expert to represent you, be careful to select an expert who understands the law and the inner workings of the DMV.
If you or someone you know is facing the suspension or revocation of their driver license under the DMV’s New FAST Program, do not wait to seek help. California Drivers Associates is a team of DMV Defense experts who can help defend California drivers at a DMV Administrative Hearing. Mr. Rob Collier is the President and CEO of California Drivers Advocates. He and his team are dedicated, highly experienced and understand DMV process and procedure. Visit Rob and his team at their website or contact them at 1-888-281-5244. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have with no cost or obligation.