An anti-drunk-driving vehicle system might soon be part of a solution to reduce the number of intoxicated drivers behind the wheel and potentially avoid alcohol-related accidents, if a bipartisan infrastructure bill becomes a law.
The U.S. Congress is currently working on a $78 billion surface transportation legislation that would establish an “advanced drunk- and impaired-driving prevention technology safety standard,” as part of the larger $1 trillion infrastructure package, according to Reuters.
“We have the important technology to prevent drunk driving and save lives,” U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Michigan) said, according to Car and Driver. “It’s long past time we use it.”
The measure doesn’t state the specifics of the anti-impaired driving technology standard, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be responsible for the verification of its effectiveness, according to Car and Driver. Ignition Interlock Devices with breathalyzers are commonly used today in the country for those who have been convicted of drunk driving in the past.
Annually, approximately 10,000 people are killed due to alcohol-related crashes in the U.S., according to NHTSA. Dingell introduced a bill to end drunk driving in honor of a Michigan family killed in a Kentucky crash. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) also strongly supports the bill, according to Car and Driver.
Along with Dingell, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Michigan) has promoted the anti-drunk driving portion of the infrastructure bill.
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