NHTSA’s ‘Kill Switch’ Law - Will It Affect Slate In The Future?

[evilsaloon]

Given that the NHTSA hasn't come up with a policy to address drunk driving as required by law, how do we think this will affect Slate in the future?

https://www.kbb.com/car-news/nhtsas-new-kill-switch-law-approaches-key-deadline/

Of course, given my chance to free-associate on this issue, I think this law will be a dud. There's no tech to implement it, and I think people would form a caliphate rather than buy a car that comes pre-attached with a BAC monitor. However, backup cameras are mandated on all new cars and the Slate has one, so the possibility of some sort of technology being invented to comply with this law, and then forced to be installed on all new cars, isn't completely out of the question.

Thoughts?

 

[KevinRS]

Given that the NHTSA hasn't come up with a policy to address drunk driving as required by law, how do we think this will affect Slate in the future?

https://www.kbb.com/car-news/nhtsas-new-kill-switch-law-approaches-key-deadline/

Of course, given my chance to free-associate on this issue, I think this law will be a dud. There's no tech to implement it, and I think people would form a caliphate rather than buy a car that comes pre-attached with a BAC monitor. However, backup cameras are mandated on all new cars and the Slate has one, so the possibility of some sort of technology being invented to comply with this law, and then forced to be installed on all new cars, isn't completely out of the question.

Thoughts?

They are reporting yearly to congress on why they haven't implemented the rule. Basically it's the tech isn't there yet. It could detect alcohol on your breath, but it's got to do it passively, no breathing into a tube. It could use cameras and AI to detect impairment, but that's not proven effective yet. It could detect BAC by you putting your finger on a sensor on the steering wheel.
But all 3 of these methods are basically in development, no one's even claiming they have a working system yet. Accuracy will be an issue with any of them.
Even once they pass a rule, expect a couple of years allowed for manufacturers to add them to vehicles.

 

[Supernintendo Chalmers]

Nope. F that Big Brother Sh**.

 

[KevinRS]

Nope. F that Big Brother Sh**.

When it eventually happens, which may be years away, avoiding it will mean driving older cars. Once it's been in place long enough that enough older cars are cycled out, and newer ones with the system are recognizable as being that new, I expect that DUI checkpoints will wave newer cars through, and mainly check drivers in the older cars.

 

[mikell]

Too many safety issues with the kill switch. Lawyers love the idea, so what's that tell ya.

 

[cadblu]

What about folks now driving “impaired” due to all the cannabis shops opening everywhere? 😲

 

[cadblu]

Looks like Slate was already installing a kill switch on their prototypes. Now that’s what I call planning ahead 🙂.

 

[bartflossom]

What about folks now driving “impaired” due to all the cannabis shops opening everywhere? 😲

They're easy to spot. They're the ones driving 45 in a 70.

 

[E90400K]

They're easy to spot. They're the ones driving 45 in a 70.

Or 70 MPH into a line of stopped cars at a traffic light... (ask me how I know).

 

[E90400K]

I don't think the kill switch will ever come to fruition, it's clearly a violation of the 4th Amendment.

 

[Kopsis]

how do we think this will affect Slate in the future?

Not sure why this is a question. If and when it becomes Federally mandated, Slate will include it, just like every other automaker selling cars in the US.

 

[jsus]

Looks like Slate was already installing a kill switch on their prototypes. Now that’s what I call planning ahead 🙂.

(Prototype/development vehicles will typically have an e-stop button due to their experimental nature. Common amongst all automakers.)

e.g. above the dash here:

https://fordauthority.com/2020/11/2...-spy-shots-show-huge-new-infotainment-screen/

 

[Freyar]

If it's required, it's required. Will Slate be impacted, of course, just like any other manufacturer. I'm just glad it won't be on my truck. One less thing to worry about not being in my control.

Edit: I'm not in favor of it, it takes agency away from the car owner and assumes they are unfit to drive by default. I do believe it'd be better to have enforcement, target the people this is meant to prevent and get them off the road with the judicial system rather than insisting everyone is incapable any time they start their own car.

 

[KevinRS]

If those systems were actually ready and reliable, sure. But detecting your BAC from the cabin air, even if they got it accurate enough, would be easily defeatable, just crank up the fan bringing in outside air or roll down windows. If those aren't allowed, there would be outrage. Detecting with a camera, seems unreliable, how do even existing eyes up systems work with sunglasses?
contact detector? also seems unreliable, dry skin? unlikely to be carrying enough moisture to carry any alcohol to the sensor, and some lotions would cause false negatives as well.

I think those systems are years or even decades from being a reality.

No 4th amendment issues, the law requires a closed system, doesn't ask for the system to report you attempted to drive to LE

 

[evilsaloon]

Not sure why this is a question. If and when it becomes Federally mandated, Slate will include it, just like every other automaker selling cars in the US.

I'm not American (I just live here ) so I'm not sure how these things work legally, which is why I was curious to start a discussion. It does seem like a very silly law, but I don't imagine there's enough political will to get it repealed. So I guess that means that my Slate's value will be bolstered somewhat, since it won't have this system right off the production line (or not, if Slate maliciously complies and lets you disable the system easily in future vehicles)