In the article, “You Decide Cars That Stop Drunk Driving”(McGraw Hill), I learned that President Biden demanded automakers in the U.S. to find a way to stop drunk driving. Automakers are developing monitoring systems in cars and should be installed as early as 2026. There is no specific monitoring system. It can be a breathalyzer that can automatically disable your vehicle if your blood alcohol level is too high. There can be infrared cameras that monitor your behavior while driving. With these cameras, if you show risky behavior such as swerving or drowsiness, the car will slow down and pull to the side of the road automatically.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the widespread use of this technology could reduce roadway deaths by about 9,400 people per year. These devices could greatly reduce drunk driving, which will not only save lives but will also protect first responders, reduce traffic delays, and help with insurance costs.
Monitoring systems may not be reliable. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation has raised concerns that camera-based monitors are sometimes inaccurate. This could lead to peoples’ cars shutting off even when they are not impaired. It will take years for this technology to become widespread enough to make any difference. Congress has given the NHTSA three years to finalize rules for the technology, and automakers an additional two years to install it.
Should it be necessary for cars to have anti-drunk driving monitors?
