U.S. auto safety regulators say they have taken the first step toward requiring devices in vehicles that prevent drunk or impaired driving.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced on Tuesday that it is starting the process to put a new federal safety standard in place requiring the technology in all new passenger vehicles.

Such devices were required in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that was passed by Congress in 2021.

The agency says an advance notice of proposed rule making will help it gather information about the state of technology to detect impaired driving. The regulation would set standards for the devices once technology is mature, NHTSA said in a statement.

  • SoylentBlake@lemm.ee
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    1
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    edit-2
    10 months ago

    No it’s alcohol sensors on the steering wheel, like the scram bracelet.

    It’s about $2 in sensors and the technology is 80 years old. It can wired up as an on/off switch, it doesn’t require telephony

    The fact that it hasn’t been done already should be criminal in itself.

    • FaceDeer@kbin.social
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      10 months ago

      I used to work in an office that was next to a beer canning plant. Some days when the weather was just right the car park would reek of alcohol. Going to be interesting for the people currently working there when cars refuse to start under such conditions.