The spectre of drink driving still claims many lives each and every year in the UK and globally. But within a few years a new system could consign the problem to the past.
Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) is being developed by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in an effort to eliminate drink driving altogether.
The system features a breathalyser mounted on the steering wheel or on the driver-side door which can detect blood-alcohol levels in a motorist's breath.
A driver's blood alcohol level (BAC) is detected by a gear shift or an ignition button. If your blood alcohol level is over the legal limit then a driver will not be able to take their car anywhere.
Despite the fact that a US government agency is developing the system, carmakers won’t be forced to fit it in their vehicles. In any case, the system may not be ready for several more years, with a great deal of research and development still necessary.
Besides that, many auto-makers are working on their own anti-drink driving technologies.
While most would agree that saving lives on the road is a good thing, not everyone is delighted with the technology.
It "will simply stop many responsible social drinkers who have a glass of wine with dinner from starting their cars," said Sarah Longwell of the American Beverage Institute (a restaurant association) to the Detroit News.
However, 17 of the world's leading car manufacturers are on-board with the DADSS system, including Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Nissan.
NHTSA spokesperson Mark Rosekind said: “Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety has enormous potential to prevent drunk driving in specific populations such as teen drivers and commercial fleets, and making it an option available to vehicle owners would provide a powerful new tool in the battle against drunk-driving deaths.”
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