California Launches FAST Program to Tackle Speeding

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) have introduced a joint pilot program called Forwarded Actions for Speeding Tickets (FAST) to address excessive speeding on California roads. Announced on Monday, the initiative aims to swiftly remove drivers caught speeding over 100 mph from the roads by expediting the review process for potential license suspensions or revocations.

Under the FAST program, any citation for driving over 100 mph will be automatically referred to the DMV's Driver Safety Branch. This review will occur independently of any court proceedings, allowing the DMV to take immediate action if necessary. According to the DMV, the program is designed to act more quickly than the traditional legal system, which can be slow and lengthy.

California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin emphasized the importance of the program, stating, "The FAST pilot reflects our commitment to innovation, accountability, and prevention — using real-time information to intervene before dangerous driving turns deadly." The program is part of a broader effort to reduce traffic fatalities and improve road safety across the state.

The CHP issues approximately 1,600 citations each month to drivers exceeding 100 mph, with more than 18,000 such citations issued in 2024 alone. To enhance enforcement, the CHP has deployed a fleet of low-profile, specially marked patrol cars to target reckless drivers. These vehicles blend into traffic, allowing officers to observe and address dangerous behavior effectively.

The DMV will closely monitor the pilot program to evaluate its effectiveness in preventing and reducing crashes. By comparing current citation and outcome data against previous years, the DMV aims to determine the impact of the FAST initiative on road safety. The program reflects a proactive approach to addressing the significant traffic safety issue posed by speeding, which accounts for approximately one-third of all traffic-related deaths in California over the past decade.