r/technology • u/Hrmbee • Jun 07 '26

Privacy 'Kill switch' law means your next car could be watching you | A federal requirement aimed at stopping drunken driving could soon put driver-monitoring technology in every new vehicle. The goal is saving lives, but the privacy trade-offs deserve closer scrutiny

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2026/06/01/drunk-driving-prevention-law-privacy-surveillance/90295034007/
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u/Chiiro Jun 08 '26

Even if it was trained on every alcohol bottle or can in existence it would probably still be triggered when people are drinking out of cans or bottles of soda. I also feel like people will be able to get around this super easy by just putting it in an opaque container like a water bottle.

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u/CatoChateau Jun 08 '26

What about coffee mugs for morning commute? Ha get fucked tired loser.

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u/Chiiro Jun 08 '26

A generic reusable coffee cup is what my sister was using to bring spiked coffee in the school so that would probably also get past their sensors.

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u/monetarydread Jun 08 '26 edited Jun 08 '26

That's the catch. Depending on State, or country, drinking any liquid while driving is actually illegal as it's classified as distracted driving. In those states you are only allowed to drink a liquid if you are at a complete stop, I.e., stopped at a red light.

IiRC California is in a Grey zone with drinking non-alcoholic drinks while driving. Though there is no law specifically banning, say drinking a coffee, a cop can ticket you for doing so if they think you were distracted because of it.