Pilot Program Targets Speeders to Make California Highways Safer

Contact: Office of Public Affairs
2415 First Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 657-6437 | [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2025

New FAST program focuses on reducing crashes through early intervention of drivers traveling more than 100 mph on California Highways

What you need to know: The DMV and CHP have launched a pilot program that takes swift action against drivers who are caught traveling more than 100 mph in the hopes of reducing potentially deadly crashes. The FAST (Forwarded Actions for Speeding Tickets) program automatically refers drivers to the DMV for review - independent of any court proceedings - to determine whether action should be taken against their driving privileges.

Sacramento - The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) announced a new joint pilot program to take drivers who are caught speeding more than 100 mph off California roads faster. The program, called Forwarded Actions for Speeding Tickets (FAST), automatically refers these law breakers to the DMV Driver Safety Branch. Driver Safety will review the incident and driver's record to determine whether immediate action - such as suspending or revoking the driver's license - is warranted. The DMV decision is independent of any judicial actions associated with the citation and does not depend on a conviction.

The pilot builds on the DMV's successful Driver Safety work and Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS). Now, each citation for speeding more than 100 mph automatically initiates a review by the DMV Driver Safety Branch, even if a driver has no prior negligent operator points on their record.

"Under Governor Newsom's leadership, California is taking bold, data-driven action to confront reckless speeding head-on," said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. "The FAST pilot reflects our commitment to innovation, accountability and prevention - using real-time information to intervene before dangerous driving turns deadly. This is about protecting lives and delivering on our shared responsibility to make our roads safer for everyone."

FAST is part of a statewide push to reverse the alarming rise in traffic fatalities and supports California's recent Policy on Road Safety - a coordinated strategy to save lives and make the state's roads safer for everyone.

"We believe that early intervention is the key to saving lives," said DMV Director Steve Gordon. "We want to take immediate action against dangerous drivers before their carelessness leads to a deadly crash. We're being proactive and together with our CHP partners, we're ready to put the brakes on this reckless behavior."

"Our priority is protecting the motoring public," said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. "Driving over 100 miles per hour is not a mistake; it is a reckless choice that endangers everyone on the road. This new program delivers swift consequences to keep dangerous drivers off California's roadways before their actions cause irreversible harm."

"Speeding wrecks too many lives in our state," Office of Traffic Safety Director Stephanie Dougherty said. "This targeted program is a strong reminder that speeding has real, tragic consequences. Traffic safety starts with each of us. Driving within the speed limit and showing courtesy on the road are everyday actions that protect everyone - safe drives save lives."

Each month, CHP officers issue citations to approximately 1,600 individuals for driving 100 mph or faster. In 2024, CHP issued more than 18,000 of these citations. In May, the CHP deployed 100 low-profile, specially marked patrol vehicles (SMPVs) to target what officers describe as "video game-styled" driving on California's highways. These SMPVs blend into traffic long enough to spot the most dangerous behavior. In their first six months on the road, CHP officers operating these vehicles issued nearly 33,000 speed-related citations statewide. Of those citations issued, more than 1,100 were for speeds greater than 100 mph.

While some drivers may have their driving privileges revoked or suspended through the legal system, that process can be slow and lengthy. However, the new DMV-CHP pilot is designed to act more quickly, reflecting the research that shows the most effective deterrent is swift and certain consequences.

Speeding is a significant traffic safety problem. Higher speeds reduce reaction time and increase the severity of crashes. Speeding-related crashes account for approximately one-third of all traffic related deaths on California roads in the last 10 years.

The DMV will monitor the pilot closely to evaluate its effectiveness in preventing and reducing crashes.

Before Going to a DMV Office - Try Online First

Most DMV tasks do not require an office visit. The DMV encourages customers to use its online services and other service channels for tasks such as eligible driver's license and vehicle registration renewals. Customers can also use the Service Advisor on the DMV website to learn about options to complete DMV tasks.

Go Paperless - Customers must create a MyDMV account at dmv.ca.gov/mydmv and opt in to receive their paperless vehicle registration, driver's license and identification card renewal notices by email.

###

Sign up to receive the latest DMV News Alerts: DMV NEWS ALERTS - California DMV