US Auto Safety Regulators Begin Process to Require Devices Preventing Drunk and Impaired Driving
U.S. auto safety regulators have initiated the process of implementing a new federal safety standard that would require devices in vehicles to prevent drunk or impaired driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that the new regulation will apply to all new passenger vehicles.
First Step Towards Mandatory Devices
The NHTSA has taken the first step toward requiring devices in vehicles that prevent drunk or impaired driving. The agency announced that it is starting the process to put a new federal safety standard in place that would mandate the technology in all new passenger vehicles.
Such devices were already required in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed by Congress in 2021. The NHTSA's advance notice of proposed rule making will help gather information about the state of technology to detect impaired driving. Once the technology is mature, the regulation will set standards for the devices.
Potential Impact on Drunk Driving Statistics
In 2021, nearly 13,400 people were killed in drunken driving crashes, resulting in approximately $280 billion in medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of quality of life, according to the NHTSA. Alcohol-impaired crash deaths reached a nearly 15-year high in December 2021, with over 1,000 fatalities.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, a Michigan Democrat who played a key role in advocating for the regulation, emphasized that the technology will save lives and prevent drunk driving accidents. The regulation is expected to make a significant impact on reducing the number of drunk drivers on the road.
Collaborative Efforts and Future Developments
The National Transportation Safety Board recommended to the NHTSA in 2022 that all new vehicles in the U.S. be equipped with alcohol monitoring systems. As a result, NHTSA and 16 automakers have been jointly funding research on alcohol monitoring through the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety group.
The group is exploring various technologies, such as breath-sensing and blood alcohol testing, that can automatically detect impairment and prevent a vehicle from moving if the driver is intoxicated. This collaborative effort aims to develop effective and user-friendly solutions to address the issue of impaired driving.
