US DoTs NHTSA unveils new technologies to prevent drunken driving

TIN news:       The US Department of Transportation's (DoT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has introduced a test vehicle equipped with mock-up driver alcohol detection system for safety (DADSS) technology to prevent drunken driving.
 
The DADSS programme is a collaborative research partnership between the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS), representing 17 automobile manufacturers.
 
DADSS aims to create alcohol-detection technologies that will be able to prevent drivers to drive a vehicle when their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeds the legal limit of 0.08%.
"Support from Congress and industry has helped us achieve key research and development milestones."
 
The researchers will use the mock-up DADSS technology to analyse driver interactions with the system.
 
NHTSA has been working with ACTS on DADSS research since 2008.
 
Two other technology prototypes were also unveiled, which are presently under development.
 
One of the systems being designed will be capable of detecting alcohol levels by touch and the other by the driver's breath.
 
The watchdog aims to complete the necessary research work within the next five years to introduce the technologies into the vehicle fleet.
 
NHTSA administrator Mark Rosekind said: "There is still a great deal of work to do, but support from Congress and industry has helped us achieve key research and development milestones.
 
"DADSS has enormous potential to prevent drunk driving in specific populations such as teen drivers and commercial fleets, and making it an option available to vehicle owners would provide a powerful new tool in the battle against drunk-driving deaths."