Tech That Prevents Drunk Driving Could Be Coming to Every New Car in America

Tech That Prevents Drunk Driving , Could Be Coming to Every New Car in America.

NPR reports that federal automobile regulators have taken the first step toward making technology to prevent drunk and impaired driving a standard feature in new cars.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the technology could help end a problem that claims the lives of thousands of people every year.

Impaired driving crashes are 100% preventable – there's simply no excuse or reason to drive impaired by alcohol or drugs, Ann Carlson, NHTSA acting administrator, via NPR.

NPR reports that the NHTSA said it will allow regulators to take a closer look at the technology and see how it could be implemented across the U.S. The technologies currently in development include breath and touch sensors to detect alcohol and cameras that monitor a driver's eye movements.

Among the supporters for the implementation of the technology is Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

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Everyone involved in this rulemaking process at NHTSA and everyone designing impaired driving prevention technologies at car companies need to understand that this is about saving human beings from the horror I've experienced and from the deaths and injuries of tens of thousands of Americans, Tess Rowland, MADD national president, via NPR.

According to NHTSA data, 13,384 people died in drunk driving accidents in 2021.

The agency estimates that the cost of deaths, injuries and property damage equated to about $280 billion dollars in lost wages, medical costs and other expenses.

In 2021, a bipartisan infrastructure law compelled the NHTSA to develop federal standards that require technology to prevent drunk and impaired driving.