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.

  • surewhynotlem@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    12
    ·
    1 year ago

    That’s what we need. A car that shuts off on the highway.

    Or people leaving their cars running while they go get hammered.

    • SoylentBlake@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      arrow-down
      4
      ·
      edit-2
      1 year ago

      It can take continuous readings you know.

      And idk why it’d shut off on the highway. Don’t drink and drive. Just about everybody agrees that’s the move, I’m not alone in that sentiment.

      This is already tried and true, non invasive tech. It just takes skin on the wheel, throughout the entire drive.

      I don’t understand the push back, seriously. Enlighten me. I’m all ears.

      • surewhynotlem@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        1 year ago

        False positives could be deadly, and bypassing it is trivial (duct tape). So it adds a little amount of risk for no real reward and slightly more cost.