Technology to prevent drunk driving may soon be required in all new cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is developing a new safety standard that would use technology to detect whether a driver is under the influence of alcohol and prevent them from operating the vehicle. According to recent analysis from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, mandating these sensors in cars could save over 10,000 lives per year. The agency is currently collecting information on car technology to detect impaired driving, including how to avoid false positives and how to deploy the technology safely and effectively.
Vickie Brown, a volunteer with Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, has been advocating for this technology for nearly two decades. She lost her 12-year-old son to a drunk driving accident in 2004 and believes that this technology could have prevented the tragedy. Brown sees the development of this safety standard as a bittersweet milestone and continues to fight to keep her son’s memory alive and end drunk driving.
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents major car manufacturers, has expressed support for the effort and stated that automakers are constantly working to make vehicles safer and smarter. The federal government aims to finalize the standard by the fall of this year, with automakers required to install the technology in new cars by 2026.
The implementation of this technology could have a significant impact on reducing drunk driving-related deaths on our roadways. With over 13,300 deaths caused by drunk driving in 2021 alone, the adoption of this safety standard could potentially save thousands of lives each year. As technology continues to advance, it is crucial to prioritize the development and implementation of measures that can effectively prevent such tragedies, ensuring safer roads for everyone.