US: Effort to Repeal 'Kill Switch' Mandate for Cars Fails in Congress
Is this a vital step in preventing drunk-driving tragedies or is it a form of Orwellian overreach from the government?
Above: U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) during a House subcommittee hearing on Jan. 14. Image credit: Heather Diehl/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Someone is killed or injured in a drunk-driving related crash every 85 seconds. This technology will prevent tragedies before they happen and will save upwards of 10,000 lives each year. Claims that it will unfairly burden consumers or compromise individual privacy are misplaced as safeguards and solutions can be implemented.
Narrative B
The idea that the federal government would require auto manufacturers to equip cars with a kill switch that it can use to shut down your vehicle at any time is unbelievably disturbing. It's something that could be straight out of George Orwell's "1984" but it nonetheless received the backing of a majority of representatives.
