The Washington Post
Fri Jun 05 2015
Drivers who registered above the legal limit wouldn't be able to start the car.
A technological breakthrough that could virtually eliminate the drunken driving that kills 10,000 Americans each year was announced Thursday by federal officials, who said it could begin appearing in cars in five years.
The new equipment won't require a driver to blow into a tube, as with the interlock devices some states require after drunken-driving convictions. Instead, either a passive set of breath sensors or touch-sensitive contact points on a starter button or gear shift would immediately register the level of alcohol in the driver's bloodstream.
Drivers who registered above the legal limit wouldn't be able to start the car.
"The message today is not 'Can we do this?' but 'How soon can we do this?' " said Mark Rosekind, administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). "It is a huge step forward."
Eager to introduce an advance that would rival seat belts or air bags in saving lives, Rosekind said he would push to get the technology finalized, field-tested and put into use before the five to eight years anticipated by researchers.
Though no cost-per-car estimate has been made, once the sensors go into generalproduction it'santicipated the cost will be equal to that of seat belts or air bags, about $150 to $200 per vehicle.
Asked whether there would be a federal effort to mandate use of the devices in all new vehicles, Rosekind said he wasn't sure that would be necessary.
"There's not going to be a parent who isn't going to want this in their child'scar," he said. "There's not going to be a business that's not going to want this in their vehicles."
NHTSA, safety advocates and automakers discussed whether the necessary technology was feasible for years. Researchers funded by auto manufacturers and federal safety regulators now have determined that it works.
They have developed passive sensors that detect how much a driver has had todrink butare working on how best to package the sensors inside a vehicle. They have determined how to package touch-sensitivedevices butstill need to refine the technology to ensure accuracy.
"Touch-based could happen faster, because we know how to package it," said Rob Strassburger, head of the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety and a vice president of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, a trade groupforthe world's major auto companies.
The advances that lead to Thursday's announcement at NHTSA headquarters were madeata Boston laboratory run by Bud Zaouk.
"These devices have to be quick, accurate and easy to use for the automakers to put them on their platforms," Zaouk said.
The goal is to produce a device that will react in less than a second and function without maintenance for at least 10 years or 157,000 miles. Sensors that detect alcohol levels in the air can reactinless than a second after a driver gets into the vehicle.
The technology is an offshoot of advances in sensory detection since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Withsudden demandfor bomb-detection sensors, the ability of machines to scan people, packages and luggage for tiny trace elements has expanded exponentially.
The American Beverage Institute, a restaurant trade association, opposes the alcohol detection system.
"Today, NHTSA, MADD, and majorauto makerspresented what they claim will be a voluntary system.. .adescription that directly contradicts their own past statements," the organization said in a statement.
Though Rosekind said he didn't think it would be necessary to make the system mandatory, he did not preclude that option. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is unambiguous in its belief that the system belongsinall vehicles.
In 2013, 10,076 people were killed in car crashes involving drunk drivers, federal data shows. That was less than half the number of alcohol-related traffic deaths recorded in 1982, when 21,113 people were killed. In the past 30 years, more than 400,000 people have died in drunken-driving crashes.
Colleen Sheehey-Church, president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, told an audience at NHTSA that included scores of her group's members about the 2004 death of her son, who drowned in the back seat of a car driven into a river by a drunk driver.
"This is the future," she said, gesturing toward a vehicle equipped with prototype detection gear, "when drunk drivers will be unable to drive their cars. If this technology was available in 2004, my son, Dustin, might be alive today."
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.
Economic outlook: Govt plans to leverage, expand existing city transit system
The expansion aims to provide a more efficient and reliable public transportation network, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility.