Consumer Law

Will Cars of the Future Prevent Drunk Driving?

By Brian Wolfman

The Washington Post reports that

Researchers funded by auto manufacturers and federal safety regulators are working on sensory devices - to be installed as standard equipment on all new vehicles - that would keep a vehicle from starting if the driver has had too much to drink. ... The new technology would not require that the driver blow into a tube, like the interlock devices some states require after drunken-driving convictions. Instead, either a passive set of sensors permanently installed in the vehicles or touch-sensitive contact points on a key fob or starter button would immediately register the level of alcohol in the bloodstream.

The car industry says that the technology could be on the market in 5 to 7 years. But whether it will be marketable that soon depends in large part on cost (which could affect the industry's desire to install the technology) and consumer acceptance.

Full post as published by CL&P Blog on January 08, 2011 (boomark / email).