I’ve blogged several times before about the push from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for automotive technology that will supposedly keep a car from starting if the driver is drunk or has consumed excessive amounts of alcohol.
In the January 26, 2011 edition of the Wall Street Journal, Mr. David Strickland, the Director of the NHTSA, commented on the main focus of automotive technology in the coming decade.
He says, “…NHTSA is pursuing research in collaboration with automakers to develop technology that can sense whether the driver’s alcohol level is over .08 and prevent the car from starting. One experimental system measures the alcohol in the driver’s breath, another measures alcohol using a beam of infrared light aimed at the driver’s skin. NHTSA is a long way from mandating such technology. First, it has to proven to be accurate and practical to install in vehicles. Second, the technology will have to be accepted by consumers as there are ‘privacy issues that will have to be considered.'”
Steve Sumner Says:
Many experts in this field have significant questions as to the accuracy of these type devices. I agree with Mr. Strickland that there are many “privacy issues” to be considered. How much would these devices add to the price of a car? Just some random thoughts.