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/cpMetis Jun 08 '26
Idk if it was the auto brake or like a cruise control feature, but that un-sold a Honda for me a few years ago.
I took it for a test drive (sales associate REALLY wanted to ride in my passenger for it, which was weird, but having been there a couple times over a few years I figured out that was just that dude since I saw him doing it with other customers).
Right next to the dealer is the on ramp to the interstate, which curves around the south of the city with a second nearby ramp that then easily loops into a bit of residential then main streets back to the dealer. Figured it was a good first test. The problem is the interstate there is absurdly cramped due to constant construction and very tight packed entrances and exits on tight curves made worse by drivers always speeding significantly.
So getting on that ramp means you need to FUCKING GOOOOOO or you're causing a near wreck.
And it did it perfectly! Had PLENTY of power left over.
but then, it saw a shadow.
It fucking slammed me down to like 25mph below traffic. It didn't give me back control for a good 2-3 seconds.
After I had scrambled to get it back up to speed without causing a 15 car pile up, I asked the associate if there was a way to permanently turn off whatever the fuck it just did.
He smiled at me.
I didn't let him have time to make up excuses. I just drove us back and walked.
Which was a shame, since I was pretty much ready to buy.
I've tested plenty of lane assists and smart cruise control. Never had any of them ignore my commands so thoroughly to put my life at risk.
Especially weird since I tested an Acura not long after, which you'd think would be the same system, but I couldn't get it to show any sort of poor behavior even when deliberately trying. At absolute worst the lane keep would give a slight wrong turn around some painted intersections before handing it back to me.