No Kill Switches in Cars ActThis bill repeals a requirement that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration prescribe a federal motor vehicle safety standard that requires certain passenger vehicles to be equipped with advanced drunk and impaired driving prevention technology. Currently, there is no federal motor vehicle safety standard that requires the technology.In general, advanced drunk and impaired driving prevention technology is a passive system that (1) monitors a driver's performance to identify driver impairment, or (2) accurately detects whether a driver's blood alcohol concentration is equal to or greater than 0.08%. The system must also prevent or limit vehicle operation if the system determines the driver may be intoxicated or impaired.
The repeal of this regulation would directly affect current and future federal policies intended to enhance vehicle safety through technological means. By eliminating the requirements for advanced impaired driving technology, HB1137 reflects a significant shift away from federal oversight on vehicle technologies that aim to assist in preventing impaired driving, which may ultimately impact public safety initiatives. The bill aligns with a broader context of legislative pushback against federal regulatory authority in favor of individual freedoms and responsibilities.
House Bill 1137, titled the 'No Kill Switches in Cars Act', seeks to repeal a specific requirement established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This requirement mandated the Secretary of Transportation to formulate regulations concerning advanced impaired driving technology. Proponents of the bill argue that the technology is an unnecessary burden on manufacturers and infringes upon consumer choice and privacy. They emphasize that the bill would prevent the potential imposition of systems that could immobilize vehicles, which they consider intrusive and potentially dangerous in certain scenarios.
The bill has raised significant concern among safety advocates and organizations dedicated to reducing impaired driving incidents. Critics argue that the removal of such regulations could undermine efforts to improve road safety and reduce accidents related to impaired driving. There is a clear divide in opinion, with supporters framing the issue as one of consumer rights and autonomy, while opponents express fears about the potential rise in impaired driving occurrences if no measures are in place to combat this issue effectively.
Transportation and Public Works