The Detroit News is right to examine the facts surrounding so-called vehicle “kill switches,” and Michigan residents still have legitimate concerns that deserve to be taken very seriously.
As someone who has spent a lifetime helping businesses improve quality and eliminate risk, I understand that technology can be useful when it works as intended. The problem is that government mandates rarely work as intended. Every new layer of technology creates new opportunities for malfunction, hacking, abuse and unintended consequences.
Imagine a driver trying to escape a carjacking, a violent criminal or another emergency. The last thing anyone wants is a vehicle system that could fail, misidentify a situation or leave a motorist stranded when seconds matter most. Americans have every right to question whether the government should be involved in technology that could ultimately interfere with their ability to operate their own vehicle.
Many voters are also concerned about the broader trend of government and artificial intelligence becoming increasingly intertwined with everyday life. Whether it is surveillance, data collection or remote control technologies, people see a future where the government has more power and citizens have less freedom. Dismissing those concerns as paranoia misses the point. Citizens are asking reasonable questions about where these policies may lead.
That is why I am disappointed that Congressman John James, R-Shelby Township, voted for the federal legislation that included this requirement. Republicans should be leading the fight to protect personal freedom, privacy and individual control — not supporting legislation that raises legitimate concerns about government involvement in our vehicles.
Michigan built the automobile industry. We should be leading the nation in innovation and safety, but we should also be leading the nation in protecting freedom. Safety and liberty are not mutually exclusive. We can have both.
Perry JohnsonCandidate for Governor of Michigan
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Vehicle ‘kill switch’ mandates raise real questions | Letter
Reporting by Letter to the editor / The Detroit News
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By Letter to the editor | USA TODAY Network
