Could this be the end of drunken driving?

Published: 03/07/2015

The prospect of an end to drunken driving in the next five years has been raised by the latest technological breakthrough in the US. The new equipment that’s been developed includes passive breath sensors and touch sensitive contact points on a starter button or gear shift which would immediately register the level of alcohol in the bloodstream. The passive breath sensors would measure the alcohol molecules in the driver’s breath whilst the touch sensitive contact points would measure the driver’s alcohol blood level. Any drivers who registered above the legal limit wouldn’t be able to start the car.

In the UK the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) is a partnership between automobile manufacturers and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. DADSS is both assessing and developing alcohol detection technologies, implementing these alongside changes to prevent the car being driven whilst the driver is drunk.

Personal injury solicitor, Kevin Smith comments:

“This is a really welcome development, showing how technology can play a significant role in reducing the risk of alcohol-related road traffic incidents. Although great steps forward have been taken over the years in changing public perception of drink driving there’s still the opportunity for those who have drunk over the limit to get behind the wheel and drive. We’ve all read of the car accidents that have arisen as a result of drink driving.

“Whilst this technology, even when available, will not be fitted on every vehicle it will undoubtedly reduce the numbers of road traffic accidents involving alcohol and that can only be viewed as a positive.”

Content correct at time of publication