U.S. Auto Safety Regulators Pave the Way for Mandatory Drunk-Driving Prevention Tech in New Cars

U.S. auto safety regulators announced on Tuesday the initiation of the first steps toward mandating technology that prevents drunk or impaired driving in all new passenger vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that an advanced notice has been issued to establish potential standards for alcohol-impairment detection technology. Once matured, this technology is expected to be a mandatory feature in new cars, complying with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed by Congress in 2021.

“It is tragic that drunk driving crashes are one of the leading causes of roadway fatalities in this country, and far too many lives are lost,” remarked Polly Trottenberg, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s deputy secretary, in a statement.

According to data from 2021, the latest year available, drunk driving crashes claimed the lives of 13,384 individuals, resulting in a staggering $280 billion in lost wages, diminished quality of life, and medical costs. Trottenberg stressed the urgency of addressing this issue, emphasizing the devastating impact on both lives and the economy.

In December 2021 alone, alcohol-impaired deaths reached a nearly 15-year high, with over 1,000 fatalities attributed to drunk driving crashes, as reported by the NHTSA. The grim statistics underscore the critical need for preventative measures to curb the alarming rise in impaired driving incidents.

The announcement coincided with the launch of the NHTSA’s annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign, running through January 1. Law enforcement officers nationwide will intensify efforts to remove impaired drivers from the road during the holiday season, a period historically associated with heightened road-related risks.

The move toward mandatory alcohol-impairment detection technology in new vehicles is seen as a proactive step in addressing a pervasive issue that has long plagued road safety. As technology continues to advance, regulators are taking decisive measures to integrate innovative solutions that can significantly reduce the incidence of drunk-driving-related accidents and fatalities on American roads.