The NHTSA is looking into alcohol-detection systems for all new vehicles in a few years. I included one of the links, but it is too long an article to copy and paste the pages.

This is perhaps not surprising. Some 13,000+ people are killed each year on American roads from DWIs.

https://kfoxtv.com/news/spotlight-on...o-safety-detec

 

A great idea and long overdue. It is far evident over the decades, people cannot contain themselves on their own. And with the dumbing down of local laws and lessened police patrol, we need something to help swing back the pendulum.

But at this point though, I believe other types of drugs are more prevalent than alcohol while driving. At least that's my SoCal experience commuting for the last thirteen years and working with the public.

 

Nope.

This is America. I'm not going to have to behave like a criminal with no due process because of other drunks out on the road. Innocent until proven guilty.

I barely even touch alcohol.

Another reason all my cars are heavy *** tanks, safety. I never advise against precaution.

 

I don't see any difference between alcohol detectors and current systems that force you step on the brake before starting the engine or shifting in/out of gear. Both are designed to enhance safety. In the U.S, on the average, one person dies every 39 minutes from an alcohol-related crash...although I agree with Fizzboy that, lately, other drugs such as marijuana (and cell-phone use while driving) are also playing a role.

 

I agree. I'm dead against impaired driving, but for me to have to prove every time I start the car that I'm not impaired is completely inappropriate.

 

Stepping on the brake to start the car has nothing to do with your ability to drive a car--as you like to say, "apples and oranges". Where does it end? What else will I be forced to prove I haven't done before I start my car?

 

They should have a barcode scanner that reads your license, contacts the state to confirm it's valid, and then does facial recognition to make sure you're you before the car can be started </s>

 

As a naturalized American who grew up in Europe and has driven in many European countries, a few things have stood out to me over the years. Americans in my own experience, are more likely to be willing to drive after drinking than much of Europe. Some of that is a product of our very different urban planning, if you live in suburban America you’re much less likely to be within walking distance of a bar or restaurant here than you are in suburban Europe, so that does encourage people to roll the dice. But the big thing is that driving while impaired is far less stigmatized here than there. It’s viewed very differently. Driving while drunk is absolutely socially unacceptable where I grew up, and if you get caught you’re almost certainly going to face a lengthy driving ban and many years of massive insurance increases once you get your license back. That’s for a first time offense. Get caught again and you’re likely looking at much more significant consequences.

I am not on board with mandatory in-car detection devices, that does seem to me to be a sledgehammer used to crack a nut solution, but I am absolutely on board with much tougher penalties for DUI including immediate lengthy driving bans and I’m absolutely on board with efforts to make driving under the influence much more socially unacceptable than it is today. I am still shocked after a very long time living here how willing people are to roll the dice after a few drinks.

 

If you get a DUI here trust me, they'll get their pound of flesh. A good lawyer will cost at least $10,000-$15,000. The ankle bracelets cost $4000 a year and the defendant has to pay it. Then comes the breathalyzer that's $150 a month for a year. Then there is the stress and hassle of going to court, as well as victim impact panels. Then SR-22 insurance for 5 years. Then a reckless driving charge on your record (better than DUI). A friend of mine got a DUI and her life was made hell from it even with the best DUI lawyer money can buy here. She learned her lesson. Years ago a DUI wasn't really a "big deal" as long as you didn't hurt anyone or wreck. They've really cracked down and I'm glad.

The cost alone of dealing with a DUI is exorbitant enough to deter people I would think.

 

WADR It's a slippery slope. What's next, do the cops get to come search my house with no warrant just because a drug dealer was arrested down the street? We have rights in this country as you well know.

It would be absurd to have this crap in cars mandatory.

Not to get political, but it's interesting to me that you're not against this considering the way you lean.

 

I know in your day it was normal to view the government as a benevolent parent that should exercise strict control of its children for their own good, but that's no way to live.

Rather than having unreliable breathalyzers in every car, let's actually crack down on drunk drivers. Make a first time offense be life altering. You get caught once? 5 years minimum sentence, license revoked for 10. Second time? You're gone for good.

Breathalyzers are too unreliable to be mandated across every single car. That's just 1984 big brother nonsense

 

That’s my main point. Where I grew up, your first DUI offense triggers a usually mandatory 12 month ban and a fine and potentially some prison time. If you’re deemed to be a high risk offender, broadly getting caught twice in 10 years, being caught massively over the limit, or being someone who has refused to be tested, you can’t get your license back without passing a medical exam.

 

I agree penalties should be worse.... Not so much for first offense if nobody is hurt or nothing is damaged.

If no one is hurt/no damage, what my friend went through and the cost of it all I think is fair. She barely touches alcohol anymore let alone would drink and drive. She was a huge alcoholic. The whole thing upended her life even though she's filthy rich and had the best DUI attorney in town, she learned her lesson trust me. And like I said, they still got a pound of flesh from her.

2nd offense? Make that shyytt a felony (which would really fk up your life), mandatory that you couldn't get knocked down to a misdemeanor. Prison time. At least a year. Lose license for 10 years.

 

Without getting to deeply into politics (and possible moderator-intervention) I have no problem with that...I've always been for tougher DUI/DWI penalties. But the continuing alcohol-accident rates shows that that alone is not enough...other options may (?) be needed.

Anyhow, this policy is not necessarily set in stone...the NHTSA is just examining it for possible adaptation. Other agencies (or Congress) will determine if it becomes law.

Well, that same argument was once given for many of the other everyday features we have in today's vehicles.

 

It is still a restrictive device. And those who are too drunk to drive may not even remember to press the brake pedal....or read the sign on the dash.