New in-vehicle technology being initiated by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety could reduce the threat of habitual drunk drivers causing fatal
Our Modesto personal injury attorneys know the extreme risks drunk drivers pose to innocent motorists on the roads of California and across the nation. In 2009, over 10,000 fatalities occurred as a result of a drunk driving accident, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, equating to 32% of total traffic fatalities for the year.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and NHTSA Safety Administrator David Strickland were among the first to view the new Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) at a demonstration recently held in Waltham, MA. Early in development, the proposed $10 million initiative will likely keep drunk drivers from being able to operate their car if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is detected to be at the legal limit of .08 or higher. One system determines BAC through a touch-based method while the other detects BAC through a breath-based approach.
Unlike ignition interlock devices, which are temporarily installed in the vehicles of some repeat offenders, the new technology could be much more permanent and could even be installed by the manufacturer.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving President Laura Dean-Mooney, also present at the demonstration, welcomed the progress of the DADSS research effort, saying, "Auto makers have stepped up to help turn cars into the cure. This project has made substantial progress and this technology could one day be an important step in our efforts to eliminate drunk driving."
California ranked at the top among states in 2009 for total traffic fatalities at 3,081 according to statistics reported by NHTSA. Data showed that alcohol was involved in 36% of fatal California car crashes in 2009. There were 1,118 fatalities when at least one driver tested positive for BAC of .01 or higher. Statistics show that nationally, drivers in fatal accidents with BAC over the legal limit are 8 times more likely to have a prior conviction than drivers who had no alcohol in their system at the time of a crash.
"Now that we have actual prototypes, a tremendous feat in itself, we'll be working to identify the gaps in performance between these prototypes and the precise standards we've identified as true technology requirements," said Shane Karr, Vice President for Federal Government Affairs at the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. "This will point the way forward for the next phase of research."
The new DADSS technology is expected to be a 5-year project. The next phase in development is a practical demonstration of the alcohol detection technologies which will likely take place later this year.
"Whatever the future holds for these advanced drunk driving prevention technologies, one thing remains clear; no technology can, or should, ever replace a driver's personal responsibility not to drive drunk," said NHTSA Administrator Strickland.
If you or a loved one needs to speak to a personal injury lawyer in Modesto or Stockton, contact the Law Offices of Ben Roberts. For a free consultation call 1-209-522-7500 to discuss your claim.
