A controversial bill that would require all new cars to be fitted with AM radios looks set to become a law in the near future. Yesterday, Senator Edward Markey (D-Mass) revealed that the “AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act” now has the support of 60 US Senators, as well as 246 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives, making its passage an almost sure thing. Should that happen, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would be required to ensure that all new cars sold in the US had AM radios at no extra cost.
As someone who has worked as a technician in both broadcast and cellular, I can absolutely confirm that cellular networks are a lot more fragile than any type of traditional broadcast, and that AM is much more robust than any other form of broadcast.
The transmitters are so much more simple devices, and are much easier to repair with limited resources than FM or television, should the need arise.