While I applaud everything Bryan has done for FR, and I was well aware of it, he is still a nanny-statist on this and I have no use for nanny staters on any issues.
So far the “government” hasn’t mandated this, but it will happen, and it will happen very soon because of people like Bryan.
Maybe FR should become SFR, for Semi-Free Republic.
It is inevitable. Do your homework. They mandated seat belts, anti-lock brakes and air bags. The new Electronic Stability Program (ESP), which takes anti-lock brakes one step farther and actually takes control of both steering and brakes when the car starts to fishtail, is already required for the 2009 model year. It will bring the car to a stop in a straight line, even if you're driving on ice.
The good news is that it's being designed by American engineers for American companies. Not German, not Japanese and Americans will hold the worldwide patents.