End of an Era: NEXCO East to Retire AM Highway Radio for Smartphone App, Sparking Safety Concerns and Nostalgia
NEXCO East has announced a major policy shift that will see the retirement of its long-standing AM radio traffic information service, "Highway Radio" (1620 kHz), in favor of a consolidated next-generation voice app for smartphones. This transition of a piece of infrastructure long beloved by drivers has triggered a wave of surprise, anxiety, and nostalgia across social media. Following the announcement, the most prominent concerns raised on SNS were regarding safety. While the traditional Highway Radio could be accessed with a single press of a button on a car stereo, critics argue that moving to an app could lead to distracted driving. "Are they forcing us to operate smartphones while driving?" one user asked, while others noted that although support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is expected, these systems are not yet universal across all vehicles. Skepticism was also directed at the reliance on mobile data. Many pointed out potential issues with reception in ...