The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated the process to require car manufacturers to adopt new technology aimed at preventing intoxicated drivers from starting vehicles. Congress mandated the NHTSA to establish a technology safety standard by November 2024 to reduce the annual toll of over 10,000 road deaths caused by drunk driving. Potential technologies being considered include breath- or touch-based sensors and eye movement monitoring. The NHTSA must ensure the technology's effectiveness before implementing the requirement, and automakers will have at least three years to comply once the rules are finalized.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking input on technologies that can be built into cars to prevent or mitigate drunk driving, as there are currently no commercially available options. NHTSA evaluated 331 driver monitoring systems but found none that can properly identify alcohol impairment. While blood alcohol detection technology is considered a more viable near-term solution, it is considered "active" and goes against the law's passive requirement. NHTSA is exploring touch-based methods, such as embedding a touch sensor in the push-to-start button, which could be considered passive. However, there are various challenges and questions to address, including ensuring driver engagement and handling emergency situations. The final regulation must be standardized by November 2024.
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is moving towards a recall of 52 million airbag inflators due to concerns over explosions that could cause serious injuries or fatalities. The inflators, made by ARC Automotive Inc. and licensed by another company, are believed to be defective and can throw shrapnel when they explode. The NHTSA has scheduled a public meeting for October 5 before requesting a court-ordered recall. The agency has cited at least seven injuries and two deaths in the US and Canada since 2009 as reasons for the recall, while the company maintains that there is no defect.
Ford is recalling 125,000 SUVs and trucks due to engine failures that may cause fires, expanding a previous recall from July 2022. The recall includes various Escape and Lincoln Corsair SUVs and Maverick compact pickup trucks from the 2020 to 2023 model years with 2.5L hybrid or plug-in hybrid engines. Ford and the NHTSA are advising owners to park and shut off the engine if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke.
