The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Tuesday that it is taking the first steps to establish a new federal safety standard mandating the inclusion of such technology in all new passenger vehicles.
The US auto safety regulators have initiated the process to require devices in vehicles that can prevent drunk or impaired driving.
Infrastructure Law Sparks Proposal for Drunk Driving Tech
The requirement for these devices was stipulated in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed by Congress in 2021. According to the NHTSA, an advance notice of proposed rulemaking will facilitate the gathering of information regarding the current state of technology to detect impaired driving. Once the technology matures, the regulation will set standards for these devices.
While the announcement marks a crucial step toward safer roads, it is important to note that the process involves multiple stages, including public comment periods, and can take years for a regulation to be fully implemented.
In 2021, nearly 13,400 people lost their lives in drunken driving crashes, resulting in a societal cost of $280 billion in medical expenses, lost wages, and a diminished quality of life. December 2021 saw alcohol-impaired crash deaths reach a nearly 15-year high, with over 1,000 fatalities reported.
US Representative Debbie Dingell, a Michigan Democrat and a proponent of the regulation, emphasized the potential impact of the technology in keeping drunk drivers off the road and preventing fatalities. She described the proposed system as “simple technology.”
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Auto Industry Reacts to NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Announcement
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, an industry trade group, stated that it is reviewing the NHTSA announcement. The group highlighted ongoing efforts by automakers to enhance vehicle safety.
In 2022, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended to the NHTSA that all new vehicles in the U.S. be equipped with alcohol monitoring systems capable of preventing an intoxicated person from driving. NHTSA, along with 16 automakers, has been jointly funding research on alcohol monitoring through the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety group.
The research explores the technology that can automatically test a driver’s breath for alcohol and halt the vehicle’s movement if impairment is detected, eliminating the need for the driver to blow into a tube. Other innovative approaches include light technology that can test for blood alcohol in a person’s finger.
As part of the broader efforts to address impaired driving, the NHTSA and law enforcement agencies announced their annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign for the holiday season. Increased enforcement will be in effect from December 13 through January 1, emphasizing the commitment to promoting safe driving practices during this period.
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