Personal Injury Blog

Alcohol Detection System Program to Get Boost in Funding

August 23rd, 2011
Alcohol Detection System

Drivers would be safer in cars with breathalyzer devices

A program aimed at the development of an in-car alcohol detection system that will prevent drunk drivers from operating their vehicles, is likely to get a major boost in funding. The program involves the collaboration of the auto industry and the federal government. It is currently operating on funding of approximately $2 million a year. That funding will be increased to $12 million a year. The funding increase comes because the program has been added to the Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010, a bill that’s currently pending approval by the Senate.

The program is known as the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety Program, and was begun in 2008 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. At the time the program was initiated, it was meant to be a five-year program, and had a budget of $10 million. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration contributed $1 million annually, and the automakers contributed a total of $1 million every year. That meant the program received only $2 million a year in funding.

According to Susan Ferguson the program director, the $2 million in funding is not exactly inadequate. However, developments in the program are progressing fast. The program’s main goal is to develop a device that will not just detect alcohol quickly, but is also completely reliable. The device also has to be invisible when the driver is below the legally allowed limit of alcohol. It also must be completely accurate in order to be efficient or effective. The device must also be completely precise.

Developing a device like this takes a lot of money, and the program needed a funding boost.   California car accident lawyers along with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the National Safety Council and former officers of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had been calling for greater funding for the program.

In 2008, more than 12,000 people were killed in drunk driving car accidents.  Many of these accidents were caused by the drunk driving offenders. In-car breathalyzer devices that can detect when a motorist is intoxicated and can shut down the engine so he cannot drive, can minimize the incidences of accidents caused by repeated drunk driving offenders. This program aims to develop a device that can be installed in cars. The aim is not to make the device mandatory in all cars. However, the program’s advocates hope that the safety benefits offered by the feature, would make it attractive to potential buyers.

Some categories of motorists may be at a higher risk for drunk driving than others. For instance, teen motorists could be at a higher risk of impaired driving. Underage drinking is a huge problem, and colleges have been able to do little to stem the problem. These drivers would be safer in cars with breathalyzer devices. Drivers in rural areas in some parts of the country are more prone to drunk driving. These drivers will benefit from driving cars that come equipped with in-car breathyzers.

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