Massachusetts voters overwhelming approved an initiative giving themselves the right to take their vehicles and equipment to the repair shops of their choice, rather than being forced to go to the dealer for help.

The big automakers opposed the measure, while parts dealers supported it. The result was the most expensive initiative campaign in state history:

The Massachusetts Right To Repair Coalition, a campaign group formed by independent mechanics and national car repair chains like Auto Zone and O’Reilly Auto Parts, dumped more than $24 million into the race. The Coalition for Safe and Secure Data, a group backed by Ford, General Motors, Toyota, and other car manufacturers, spent more than $26 million opposing the initiative.

Much of the campaign centered around sensational accusations that the initiative’s passage would allow cars to be remotely hacked for nefarious reasons. Even the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration waded into the fight, warning in a letter to lawmakers in July that Question 1’s passage would create “an incredible amount of danger.”

Voters rejected the fear-mongering and struck a blow for economic liberty and property rights.

Image Credit: By Cellofellow (Gadsden_flag.svg) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons