California is taking a stand against reckless speed! The state is launching a pilot program to aggressively address drivers caught exceeding 100 mph, aiming to curb the alarming rise in traffic fatalities.
Announced on Monday, December 22, 2025, the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) is spearheading this initiative, known as Forwarded Actions for Speeding Tickets, or FAST. This program represents a significant shift in how the state handles extreme speeding, working in collaboration with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Here's how it works: Citations for drivers clocked at over 100 mph will be immediately sent to the DMV's Driver Safety Branch, regardless of the driver's previous record. The DMV will then review the case, including the driver's history, to determine the appropriate next steps. These could range from a license suspension to revocation.
But here's where it gets interesting: this administrative process can occur independently of any court conviction. This means a driver could face penalties even if they aren't found guilty in court. Is this a fair approach, or does it potentially infringe on due process?
The FAST pilot builds upon existing partnerships between the DMV and CHP, utilizing the Negligent Operator Treatment System. According to California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin, this program is about using real-time information to intervene before dangerous driving turns deadly.
The numbers are staggering. CHP officers issue approximately 1,600 citations per month for drivers exceeding 100 mph. In 2024 alone, over 18,000 such citations were issued. To help catch these speeders, the CHP has deployed a new fleet of specially marked patrol cars on high-risk roads.
