According to Michelle Lehman, NAB's Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President, Public Affairs Tesla’s recent decision to eliminate both AM and FM radio from its low-cost models, relying instead on streaming and smartphone audio, jeopardizes public safety during emergencies when internet and cellular networks often fail.
AM radio, a critical backbone of the emergency alert system, provides reliable, long-range communication during power outages, natural disasters, and extreme weather, delivering life-saving updates on road closures, dam breaks, and rescue efforts, according to the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
Automakers like Tesla, by prioritizing profits over safety, risk leaving drivers without access to critical information when streaming services become unreliable due to network outages or subscription barriers.
To address this, over 340 bipartisan senators and House members support the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which would mandate AM radio as a standard safety feature in all new cars. The public is urged to support this legislation at Depend on AM Radio to ensure drivers remain connected to life-saving information.