California Rolls Out New DMV‑CHP Pilot to Combat Speeding on State Roads

California officials have introduced a joint pilot initiative between the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) aimed at reducing reckless speeding and improving road safety across the state.

 

Called Forwarded Actions for Speeding Tickets (FAST), the program automatically directs citations for drivers clocked at 100 miles per hour or more to the DMV’s Driver Safety Branch for immediate review. Under the pilot, the DMV can determine whether to suspend or revoke a driver’s license based on the citation and driving history—separate from any court case or conviction.

 

CHP officers write roughly 1,600 citations each month for extreme speeding and issued more than 18,000 such citations in 2024. To help catch high‑speed violators, the patrol has deployed specialized low‑profile cars on high‑risk highways. 

 

State transportation leaders say FAST is part of a broader effort to curb traffic deaths—a persistent issue in California, where speeding contributes to about 32% of all traffic fatalities. The program builds on existing collaboration between the DMV and CHP, including the Negligent Operator Treatment System, and is designed to act quickly with consistent consequences for dangerous drivers. 

 

Officials emphasize that early intervention and swift administrative action can help deter high‑risk driving and protect motorists before crashes occur. The DMV will monitor the pilot’s effectiveness by comparing current data with past years to assess its impact.