US Government Moves Closer to Mandating Anti-Drunk Driving Technology in New Vehicles

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated the process of implementing a federal safety standard that would require new passenger vehicles to be equipped with devices to prevent drunk or impaired driving. The move comes in response to the alarming number of alcohol-impaired crash deaths and the significant societal costs associated with them. The regulation would establish standards for the technology once it becomes mature, and the NHTSA is seeking public input during the rule-making process. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation is reviewing the announcement, and automakers are actively working to enhance vehicle safety. The NHTSA and a group of automakers are jointly funding research on alcohol monitoring systems, exploring technologies that can automatically test a driver's breath or blood alcohol levels and prevent the vehicle from moving if the driver is impaired.