WASHINGTON, D.C. (Michigan News Source) – A new surveillance era is set to get behind the wheel next year.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed by Congress in 2021 and billed as a way to help the country recover from the COVID-19 shutdowns, included a statute requiring new cars to have driver-monitoring systems. The goal is to detect impaired drivers through cameras and sensors that analyze eye movement, head position, and alertness.

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U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow (now retired) voted for the bill. In addition, then-House Representatives Dan Kildee, Elissa Slotkin, Andy Levin, Haley Stevens, Debbie Dingell, and Brenda Lawrence, all Democrats, voted yes. GOP Representative Fred Upton, now retired, also voted yes.

Critics argue these changes to vehicles wave a red flag about government surveillance and data collection along with safety concerns. In a now viral video, social media influencer Loyal Moses demonstrates that legitimate emergencies, not just impaired driving, can send out panic signals as well. In the video, he argues if the vehicle is locked because it detects panic, that could lead to delayed help and more safety problems.

Meanwhile, Ford has applied for patents that use technology to read lips, scan irises, track facial expressions, and monitor heart rates.

However, the changes may not come as quickly as originally intended. In a February report to Congress, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the technology is nowhere near being ready.