Not sure that I would really agree that these are backdoor. Since disabling the vehicle remotely is kinda the express intention of this device. Just a consequence of how they designed them to not be circumvented by the operator.

I agree with you, but the difference is that, in the US, people NEED to be able to drive to function in society. That's why the bar has to be so low to get a license.

Of course better transit is a better solution, but at least while America is waiting for that, ride-hailing services can help fill a gap. Expensive? I have little sympathy for people who drove drunk on that count.

I don't think alcoholics should be allowed to drive, is that too much to ask?

Driving is a privilege, not a right, and the roads are already dangerous enough as they are.

I understand the dynamics in the US are what they are regarding cars and the lack of public transportation or bicycle infrastructure, but I don't believe the avoidable deaths are a worthy trade off. Change needs to start somewhere, and excusing the deaths for some artificially created issue is not acceptable.

Amen, Lemmy is in the starting stages of how reddit went my brother. It's inherent to the format

Better nuance dies than innocent bystanders as the drunk driver plows into people.

You make a good point. I still don't have an ounce of patience for alcoholics who drive, but I do agree that it creates a mental trap of "you have a perfectly good car right here if you just stop drinking for 24 hours"

“Not learning lessons” is a pretty mild way to put it.

The only way it isn’t pure evil is if we allow that the alcoholic is not in control of their actions. And if we allow that, they cannot be trusted to drive, or really to even have their freedom. They are 5150, plain and simple.

I can think of plenty, just oh shit we have to get to the hospital please take us to the hospital with a legitimate oh shit we have to get to the hospital tends to override most traffic bullshits. Making the judgment of whether something is a legitimate oh shit we need to get to the hospital is why we have EMTs but like, if the Friday night shift knows you have emergencies when you eat buttered popcorn and there's a new bee movie out they might just expect you to drive yourself (or rather, have a trusted friend and swearing team buddy) because you're half expecting a damn emergency at the bee movie and you've had twelve too many, they know which roads to keep clear of toddlers and the elderly. Damn bees.

Congratulations

Congratulations, that's not how it is for most people here.

Plus, having already built your life without a car for the last 42 years is a very different situation than suddenly losing your ability to drive.

Not sure why the downvotes here, maybe not everyone can accept a counter position.

I hope you get a new bike, keep smiling.