Devices next tactic in war on drunken driving
Experts will propose adding alcohol detection to all vehicles


By MATTHEW L. WALD
New York Times

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WASHINGTON — Deterrence, the tactic of choice against drunken drivers for two decades, isn't working in the struggle to reduce the death toll, say private and government experts, and today they will propose moving toward alcohol detection in every vehicle.

In the first phase, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, backed by a national association of state highway officials and car manufacturers, plans to campaign to change drunken driving laws in 49 states to require that even first offenders be required to install a device that tests drivers and shuts down the car if it detects alcohol.

Many states already require the devices for people who have been convicted several times. Last year New Mexico became the first to use them after a first offense. With that tactic and others, New Mexico saw a 12 percent drop in alcohol-related fatalities last year, while the number nationwide was essentially unchanged, according to federal figures.

"It is an integral part of our success," said Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, who thinks others should follow the state's lead.

The next step would be a program to develop new devices that would unobtrusively test any driver for alcohol. Saab and a medical equipment firm already have devices that might be adapted for that job.

About 13,000 people will die this year, as in each of the past several years, in car crashes in which a driver was legally drunk.

Yeah that's the flaw with it... I used to work at a bar, and a few people had those devices in their cars, but they would just drive a friends car or have a friend blow into it..

:agree
I'd say go for it if they were more reliable, but they aren't.

big brother is watching.

I can't believe that someone would blow into it for someone so they could drive drunk. I think that is so irresponsable. My aunt had one and was drunk the night before but that morning she still couldn't start her car and I REFUSED to blow in it for her. THat is rediculous. It really could be a huge impact on the drivers if they were held to it when it came to driving.

But there are still idiots on drugs doing the same things by driving.

My husband had one of those for 2 years after he served time for a DUI Accident in which someone died. Yes, they do work, but they are not perfect. They need to better the technology. There were times that he would get in the truck from working - and it would detect floor finish from his clothing when he would blow in the machine. Some foods also give false readings. He was told to make sure he rinsed his mouth after eating before blowing in the machine. Even had to wait to blow if he had brushed his teeth.
I agree with the system, because yes, it will save lives. But, they need to improve the technology.

Sounds like a good idea, but there are definitely some flaws and kinks that need to be worked out.....

Although I think it's a good idea (for safety reasons), who's going to buy a car that has this "standard" feature? If I wanted my mother to drive around with me, I'd just put her in the car.

Morally it's a good idea, finacially it's a bad idea.

Then again if you're going to buy a car for your teenage kid, I'm all for it as would most parents. aarrghh :hairout :hairout now I have no opinion.

I love the fact that MADD wants to stick their head in the car of people who have never (and possibly will never) drive while intoxicated, and haven't been convicted or even accused of driving intoxicated, yet they fanatically believe that we're all guilty of DUI until proven innocent?

What if someone is having an asthma attack and needs to drive themelves to the hospital??

Although I think it's a good idea (for safety reasons), who's going to buy a car that has this "standard" feature? If I wanted my mother to drive around with me, I'd just put her in the car.

Morally it's a good idea, finacially it's a bad idea.

Then again if you're going to buy a car for your teenage kid, I'm all for it as would most parents. aarrghh :hairout :hairout now I have no opinion.

I love the fact that MADD wants to stick their head in the car of people who have never (and possibly will never) drive while intoxicated, and haven't been convicted or even accused of driving intoxicated, yet they fanatically believe that we're all guilty of DUI until proven innocent?

What if someone is having an asthma attack and needs to drive themelves to the hospital??


I agree!:D

Although I think it's a good idea (for safety reasons), who's going to buy a car that has this "standard" feature? If I wanted my mother to drive around with me, I'd just put her in the car.

Morally it's a good idea, finacially it's a bad idea.

Then again if you're going to buy a car for your teenage kid, I'm all for it as would most parents. aarrghh :hairout :hairout now I have no opinion.

I love the fact that MADD wants to stick their head in the car of people who have never (and possibly will never) drive while intoxicated, and haven't been convicted or even accused of driving intoxicated, yet they fanatically believe that we're all guilty of DUI until proven innocent?

What if someone is having an asthma attack and needs to drive themelves to the hospital??


well said

SIGHS... I DON'T WHAT TO SAY ... EXCEPT ... SIGHS