Drunk driving is a major cause of death on our roadways, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is developing a new safety standard to address this issue. The standard would require the installation of technology in all new cars that can detect whether a driver is under the influence of alcohol and prevent them from operating the vehicle. Recent analysis from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety suggests that mandating these sensors could save more than 10,000 lives each year. The NHTSA is currently gathering information about car technology to detect impaired driving, including how to avoid false positives and deploy it safely. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents major car manufacturers, has expressed support for making vehicles safer and smarter to address drunk driving. The federal government aims to finalize the standard by fall 2024, with automakers required to install the technology in new cars by 2026.
