Senators Introduce Bill To Disable Car If Technology Determines Driver Is Drunk

A new technology which promises to curb drunk driving is getting major backing in the U.S. Senate.

At a press conference Sunday, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer announced he was co-sponsoring a bill to fund Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS), reports the Wall Street Journal. DADSS is technology which can determine if a driver is drunk, without the need of a breathalyzer.

The bill, which is called The Research of Alcohol Detection Systems for Stopping Alcohol-Related Fatalities Everywhere Act, would give DADSS $48 million in funding, spread out over six years. It was first introduced by Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico on June 25.

DADSS is developing breath and touch sensors which can determine a driver's blood alcohol level and disable a vehicle if the level is above the legal limit of .08. The organization wants the tech to be available as an optional safety feature for purchase in new cars.

“There is a technology that could pretty much put drunk driving, and drunk-driving deaths and injuries, to an end, [and] it’s on the shelf," Schumer said at the press conference. "We have to perfect it so it’s usable in every car, and have it work."

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TheSteve - 7/28/2015 4:33:45 PM

+3 Boost

I think it would be a much better investment to develop technology that disables the car if the driver is stupid. That would also cover DUI.

MDarringer - 7/28/2015 6:56:21 PM

-1 Boost

@TheSteve...then how would you get around?

LOL

I am SO towel snapping you.

Your comment was something that I would have snarked. It made me laugh.

Cheers.

MDarringer - 7/28/2015 6:54:35 PM

0 Boost

I like this idea. I have not patience of people who drink and drive.

Now can we get one that renders the driver's phone useless in hand held mode inside a car.

I am so sick of people who text and drive that I want phones disabled in cars except through voice command and that such technology must be retrofitted to all cars as a condition of renewing registration.

Today on the freeway I saw a moron sideswipe the center divider and then spin out in traffic flowing at 70mph. The only explanation is texting.

I'm a busy man and I take hands free calls in my car, but several friends have gotten scorched for taking me to task for not texting back fast enough when I tell them I was driving.

TomM - 7/29/2015 12:38:41 PM

+2 Boost

Actually - it is a good idea - that could be tested in Congress - preventing any Senator or Representative from talking if they are drunk.

As far as using phones in the car - all of My company people know that I will not answer the phone when I am driving(text or voice) - they will have to leave a call back number - and I will stop when I get to a rest area - or parking lot. That is simply non-negotiable. The only emergency that is a real emergency requires calling 911 - not me.