Drunk Driving Prevention Tech Hits Roadblock

A well-intentioned effort to reduce drunk driving fatalities has hit a snag. The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act mandated that new vehicles come equipped with technology to prevent impaired driving, but the required technology doesn't yet exist. Instead of the typical ignition interlock devices that use breathalyzers, the new rule calls for passive detection of impairment, which could involve measuring alcohol concentration through the skin or tracking steering inputs and eye motions.

The automotive industry is pushing back against the directive, citing concerns about false readings and civil liberties. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a lobbying group, fears that even occasional false readings could stymie law-abiding motorists. S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky, oppose the directive, arguing that it could infringe on civil liberties and lead to unnecessary interventions.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not yet settled on a plan for how the technology would work, including what kind of response would be issued if a driver is detected to be impaired. The original timeline called for automakers to fit vehicles with the technology by the 2028 model year, but it now seems unlikely that this deadline will be met.

As the NHTSA works to develop and implement the technology, it will be required to submit annual reports explaining the delay in implementation. This provision will be in place for 10 years following the enactment of the IIJA in November 2021. For now, it seems that the odds of seeing this technology in upcoming vehicles are low, but the effort to reduce drunk driving fatalities remains a priority.