Posted on 02/14/2025 5:52:58 AM PST by MtnClimber
Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY) has renewed his call to repeal a little-known section of the 2021 Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (IIJA) containing a federal mandate that all vehicles sold after 2026 must have a kill switch.
In a hearing before the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on Wednesday, Massie questioned Michael Hanson who was representing the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) over the requirement for a kill switch that can disable vehicles based on a driver’s performance.
Hanson affirmed that section 24220 the IIJA directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require advanced impaired driving detection technology in all new vehicles, stating, “This technology, once implemented, would prevent an impaired driver from operating a vehicle and harming themselves or others.”
Rep. Massie asked Hanson if he was aware that the technology he was advocating for does not yet exist and called the mandate “Orwellian” saying it “threatens civil liberties.”
Massie reminded Hanson that before seatbelts and airbags were mandated, they both existed in commercial vehicles for over a decade and asked him whether this kill switch technology existed in any commercial vehicle at present.
Hanson responded that he was not aware of any currently existing example of the kill switch technology and compared it to ignition interlock devices which prevent vehicle operation if a driver’s blood alcohol level is above a certain limit.
Massie explained that the difference between the ignition interlock and the newly mandated technology is that the one Hanson is advocating for is science fiction presently, adding, “It doesn’t exist in any vehicle, it’s never been implemented and there’s a mandate by the government to have it in every new vehicle within two years.”
Massie then warned that, even if the mandate were implemented there is the possibility of false positives in which the car itself might decide that the operator is not driving safely.
“Let’s say a mother is driving her vehicle, taking her kids to work. How does she appeal her conviction of a disabled minivan from the side of the road?” Massie asked, “How would you re-enable a car that’s been disabled with this technology you’re advocating for?”
Hanson answered that the technology would detect when a driver has a predetermined alcohol concentration or is above that predetermined alcohol concentration and is focused on preventing an impaired driving incident from happening before it does.
Massie reminded Hanson that the mandated technology simply does not yet exist and that other considerations include artificially raising the price of the vehicle and the prospect of false positives that could put the public in danger.
Massie has previously condemned the kill switch mandate as a violation of the fundamental right to travel.
When will congressional aircraft have a kill switch?
He’s right, imagine a wild fire or hurricane the some “mistake” kills 10s of thousands of cars.
It will happen.
Also imagine an actual war / terrorist attack and the system is compromised, again thousands of cars disabled.
bttt
Judging from past performance, if you give the politicians some power over you, they will abuse it. They would love to have the power to stop a vehicle remotely, and it won’t be just escaping murderers: it’ll be their political opponents.
Even without...what price loss of freedom?
Speed limit could be 4 miles an hour..no one would get hurt that way.
Just DONT allow planes..not crashes EVER.
It’s absurd...and the only kill switch needed is on the federal budget
As if new vehicles aren’t expensive enough already.
If “Onstar” can unlock your GM car, they can turn it off as well. Just sayin’.....🚫
And I do not have on-star and literally always have one vehicle (older) that does not have all the modern electronics.
Yes I am paranoid but it has served me well.
I approve of the mandate that seat belts exist in all cars.
I accept that the driver of a vehicle must insure children in the vehicle use their seat belts.
I reject the mandate that the lone driver with no one else in the vehicle is required to use the seat belt. I also think all adult use of seat belts should be the adult’s choice.
“a little-known section of the 2021 Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (IIJA) containing a federal mandate that all vehicles sold after 2026 must have a kill switch.”
The Congre$$ and Democrats in general are experts at using misinformation/disinformation to disguise what bills they pass really live up to their title.
😂😂😂👍. If I could afford one, I’d have one. Should have kept that ‘69 road runner.
Again, he’s right.
Let me guess - it will only allow you to drive into crowds.
Great car but I find pre 2000 Tacomas to be best, I am a much more practical sort.
I disagree with you. I wear my seat belt all the time, however, it should not be a legal mandate.
On the other hand, your insurer can be very clear that if you are in a crash and your seat belt was not worn, they bear no cost. There may even be insurers that will cover you for non-seat belt injuries, at a huge cost.
Same goes for helmet laws with motorcycles. You’re stupid not to wear one but it shouldn’t be a law.
LOL! Have you seen the size of the trunk on a 69 RR?
hehe true
Imagine(appropriate as an ode to communism) some Hackers, juvenile or just blackmailers like we already have locking up computer systems, bricking cars out of plain maliciousness or for profit. And then there is the ability of police to brick a car legitimately or not.
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