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Mechanic Says New 'Kill Switch' Will Allow Government Access To Your Car Starting In 2027: 'Trainwreck Incoming'

"Is the government going to be able to shut off your cars by 2027?!"

Mechanic says new ‘kill switch’ will allow government access to your car starting in 2027. He’s not wrong

Photo by: royaltyautoservice & Art Markiv

Alexandra Samuels

By: Alexandra Samuels

Jun 4, at 6:00am ET

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A mechanic is weighing in on claims that future cars could come equipped with technology that stops drivers from getting behind the wheel while impaired.

Royalty Auto Service (@royaltyautoservice), a father-and-son team, recently shared a video discussing what they called a “kill switch,” a topic they said has sparked a “big uproar.”

“Is the government going to be able to shut off your cars? Let’s talk about it,” the text overlay on the screen read. As of this writing, the clip has garnered 2 million views.

What Is The Car Kill Switch?

The older of the two mechanics explained that the concerns stem from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Congress passed in 2021.

Specifically, he pointed to a section of the law focused on “advanced impaired driving prevention technology,” which aims to detect when someone may not be safe to drive.

“This is happening,” he says.

According to the mechanic, the requirement was initially supposed to move faster. But he says “the technology isn’t there,” and believes newer vehicles could start seeing these systems added around 2027.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) still has to finalize the specific rules for how the system will work, however.

“Here’s what it can do,” he says. “The vehicle monitors the driver and makes sure the driver is not impaired.”

He said one of his biggest questions is what happens if a car determines that someone behind the wheel is impaired. He raised concerns about whether the vehicle could limit certain functions or slow down while someone is already driving.

“They’re not just going to shut the car off in the middle of the road,” he predicted, noting that doing so would create a “massive safety” issue.

But he questioned what that process would actually look like, including how much time drivers would have to get off the road safely.

“I’m against drunk driving. I’m against impaired driving,” the elder mechanic clarifies. “I just feel like the technology is not there.”

Both father and son predicted that older vehicles could become more appealing to buyers who do not want cars with those systems built in.

While they said drivers may eventually have to adjust to the changes, they predicted a rocky rollout. “Trainwreck incoming,” they captioned the clip.

Are Car 'Kill Switches' Actually Happening?

The answer is a little more complicated than some online posts suggest.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act directed NHTSA to create standards for “advanced drunk and impaired driving prevention technology” in future passenger vehicles.

But despite the nickname, the law does not create a remote “kill switch” that allows the government to shut off somebody’s car.

The goal, according to Kelley Blue Book, is to develop technology that can detect when a driver may be impaired and prevent or limit vehicle operation. Potential systems could include technology that monitors driving behavior or detects whether someone is over the legal alcohol limit.

But exactly how that would work remains unclear.

The agency is still studying the technology and has not finalized a rule requiring automakers to install the systems. There are also lingering questions about reliability, including whether the technology can accurately detect impairment without mistakenly flagging sober drivers.

Supporters argue that the systems could prevent drunk driving crashes and save lives. Critics, however, have raised concerns about privacy, false readings, and what happens if a vehicle incorrectly determines someone should not be driving.

For now, the technology is still under development, so drivers should not expect a government-controlled shutdown button in their cars anytime soon.

Viewers Skeptical Of Supposed ‘Kill Switch’

Even though there’s no final timeline for when—or if—these systems will make their way into new cars, many commenters who watched Royalty Auto Service’s video were against the idea, arguing the technology could give up too much control.

“If this was about drunk driving, only breathalyzers would be required,” one woman argued. “This is about control.”

Another commenter raised concerns about what it could mean for drivers.

“It violated freedom of travel/movement,” wrote one.

“This isn’t about drunk driving,” a third viewer said. “It’s about government control.”

“Land of the free?” questioned another.

Others predicted that if the technology does end up in newer vehicles, it could make older cars more desirable.

“New car sales are gonna tank! Why would anyone buy this BS?!” one person asked.

“New car sales will plummet,” another agreed.

“So older cars will increase in value substantially,” a third predicted.

One commenter argued automakers would change course if customers pushed back.

“If people don’t buy the 2027s or later, the manufacturers will remove it,” they said. “Sales matter.”

At least one viewer predicted that, even if the systems are eventually required, some drivers would find ways around them.

What do you think?

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“Black market removal in people’s garages, YouTube removal videos, etc., will be out within a month,” they said.

Motor1 has reached out to Royalty Auto Service via direct message on TikTok. We’ll update this story if we hear back.

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