Lawmakers in Congress are currently trying to prevent automakers from cutting AM radio from new cars. While some may poke fun at the elderly folks in Congress for not understanding new technology, AM radio plays a vital role in disseminating safety alerts and other information across large geographic areas. Senator Ed Markey from Massachusetts and others want to prevent the move as a public safety measure, but automakers aren’t entirely on board.
Industry trade groups argue that mandating features is unnecessary, stating that the safety messages can be delivered across FM, internet, and satellite radio instead. However, the average age of cars on American roadways is climbing, so there are likely thousands of vehicles that don’t have the newer technology.
Some point at electric vehicles and the potential interference with AM tech as a good reason to get rid of the feature, and that may be a valid point, but many people rely on AM to get news, weather, and traffic information. If it is truly possible to broadcast the same info across FM and satellite radio, then there may be no legitimate reason to hang onto AM, but Congress isn’t letting it go without a fight.
In recent years, AM radio has been on the decline. It has been overshadowed by FM radio, internet radio, and satellite radio. However, there are still many people who rely on AM radio for information. This is especially true in rural areas where FM radio signals may not reach. AM radio is also used to broadcast emergency alerts and other important information.
Automakers have been cutting AM radio from their new cars in an effort to reduce costs and make room for newer technology. However, this move has not been well-received by everyone. Lawmakers in Congress are concerned about the impact this will have on public safety.
Senator Ed Markey from Massachusetts has been leading the charge to prevent automakers from cutting AM radio from new cars. He has argued that AM radio is an important tool for disseminating information during emergencies. He has also pointed out that many people still rely on AM radio for news, weather, and traffic information.
Industry trade groups have pushed back against these efforts. They argue that mandating features is unnecessary and that the safety messages can be delivered across FM, internet, and satellite radio instead. They also point out that the average age of cars on American roadways is climbing, so there are likely thousands of vehicles that don’t have the newer technology.
Despite these arguments, many people are still concerned about the impact that cutting AM radio from new cars will have. They worry that it will make it harder for people to get important information during emergencies. They also worry that it will make it harder for people in rural areas to get news, weather, and traffic information.
There is also concern about the potential interference between AM radio and electric vehicles. Some have argued that the electromagnetic interference caused by electric vehicles could make it harder for AM radio signals to be received. However, this argument has been disputed by some experts.
In the end, the decision about whether or not to cut AM radio from new cars will likely come down to a cost-benefit analysis. Automakers will need to weigh the cost of including AM radio against the potential benefits. Lawmakers in Congress will need to weigh the potential impact on public safety against the cost of mandating the feature.
Regardless of the outcome, it is clear that AM radio still plays an important role in our society. While newer technology may be more popular, there are still many people who rely on AM radio for information. As such, it is important that we continue to support this technology and ensure that it remains available to those who need it.
