03/25/2026

Explaining the Car ‘Kill Switch’ Controversy

Source: Fleet Management Weekly

A growing social media frenzy suggests that the federal government will soon require a “kill switch” in new cars. In its most extreme form, the claim says it would let government officials deactivate all cars remotely.

The rumor spiraled last week as politicians got involved. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis posted to X (the social media site formerly known as Twitter) saying, “The idea that the federal government would require auto manufacturers to equip cars with a ‘kill switch’ that can be controlled by the government is something you’d expect in Orwell’s 1984.”

What is this controversy that pits Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) against the governor of Florida and some House Republicans?

via Kelley Blue Book KBB