US Agency Takes First Step Toward Requiring New Vehicles to Prevent Drunk or Impaired Driving
U.S. auto safety regulators are moving forward with plans to require devices in vehicles that can prevent drunk or impaired driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Tuesday that it is initiating the process to establish a new federal safety standard mandating the technology in all new passenger vehicles.
The need for such devices was highlighted in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed by Congress in 2021. To gather information about the current state of technology in detecting impaired driving, NHTSA has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking. Once the technology reaches maturity, the regulation will establish standards for the devices.
Implementing a regulation can be a lengthy process, involving multiple stages, including public comment periods. However, the move by NHTSA signifies a significant step forward in addressing the issue of drunk or impaired driving.
Statistics from 2021 show that nearly 13,400 people were killed in accidents involving drunk driving, resulting in societal costs of approximately $280 billion in medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced quality of life. Deaths from alcohol-related crashes reached a nearly 15-year high in December 2021, with over 1,000 fatalities reported.
U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell, a Michigan Democrat who advocated for the regulation, emphasized the importance of the technology in saving lives. She stated, It’s going to keep drunk drivers off the road, and we’re going to keep people from dying because somebody’s drunk. This is going to be simple technology.
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, an industry trade group, has expressed its support for the NHTSA announcement. Automakers have been working to enhance vehicle safety, and they are currently reviewing the details of the proposed regulation.
In 2022, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended to 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 a consortium of 16 automakers, has been actively funding research on alcohol monitoring through a group called Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety. The research aims to develop technology that can automatically test a driver’s breath for alcohol and immobilize a vehicle if impairment is detected. The proposed technology would eliminate the need for the driver to blow into a tube, with a breath sensor providing the detection.
Furthermore, there are ongoing efforts to explore alternative methods of alcohol detection. One company is working on light technology that can detect blood alcohol levels through a person’s finger.
As the holiday season approaches, NHTSA and law enforcement agencies have launched their annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, aiming to enforce safe driving practices and reduce incidents of impaired driving. Increased enforcement will be in effect from December 13th to January 1st.
The move by NHTSA and ongoing efforts in the automotive industry reflect a commitment to enhancing road safety and reducing incidents of drunk or impaired driving. By mandating the use of advanced technology in vehicles, regulators and automakers are taking proactive measures to protect lives and prevent accidents caused by alcohol impairment.
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