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New Tech to Test BAC in All New Cars

Following passage of the recent $1 trillion federal infrastructure package, auto industry watchers are looking at the possibility that technology designed to prevent drunk driving may eventually find its way into becoming standard on all new cars. Here is what to know about this smart technology and how it may help decrease the number of tragic drunk driving accidents that occur on our roadways.

Drunk Driving Stats

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 28 people die every day in drunk driving accidents across the U.S., an average of one person every 52 minutes. Although 2019 had the lowest number of drunk driving accident deaths since 1982, when the NHTSA began reporting drunk driving fatalities, all 10,142 deaths could have been prevented by ending drunk driving. 

Many people think that having a blood alcohol concentration of less than the legal limit of 0.08 percent means a driver can still safely operate a vehicle. However, 1,775 fatalities occurred in motor vehicle crashes where a driver had a BAC of between 0.01 and 0.07 percent for the most recent year reported. 

Ant-Drunk Driving Technology

Lawmakers are considering implementing anti-drunk driving tech in all new vehicles that are produced. This smart technology would passively detect a driver’s blood alcohol limit and prevent the vehicle from starting if the driver’s BAC is over the legal limit or some lower limit. 

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is also advocating for the development and implementation of this technology. The organization noted the distinction between active alcohol detection systems such as breathalyzers and ignition interlock devices and the passive systems under consideration, which require no interaction from the driver and do not noticeably delay starting up a vehicle. This technology includes: 

SenseAir

SenseAir’s system would detect alcohol on a driver’s breath as they normally exhale. As the driver’s breath enters a sensor port on the steering wheel or dash, it detects alcohol molecules. 

The company is still working out technical hurdles with its system, including ensuring proper calibration that works with people’s varying lung capacity, breathing patterns, alcohol consumption, and weight. Another technical challenge is ensuring that a drunk passenger does not accidentally trip the system for a sober driver.

Spectroscopy

Another technology under development uses spectroscopy to measure a driver’s BAC using the capillaries underneath the skin. With spectroscopy, alcohol molecules would show up in the driver’s blood based on the specific wavelengths of light unique to alcohol. 

The technology would likely be implemented on the start/stop button to eliminate requiring the driver to place their hands somewhere else to start the car.

Federal Infrastructure Bill

Under the $1 trillion infrastructure bill, money will be allocated to help fund the development of passive alcohol detection technology. The Secretary of Transportation would also have several years to develop and implement rules making the technology standard in new vehicles.

How a Chicago Car Accident Attorney Can Help

If you were injured in a drunk driving accident, a Chicago car accident attorney at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can help you pursue legal recovery for your injuries and losses by:

  • Investigating the crash to recover evidence that shows the accident occurred due to the other driver’s intoxication
  • Calculating the full extent of your losses
  • Filing your claims with the insurance company
  • Aggressively negotiating for a fair and full settlement or pursuing your claims in court if necessary

Contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard today for a free, no-obligation consultation if you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by a drunk driver. Our Chicago drunk driving accident lawyers have the experience and resources necessary to help seek justice on your behalf. Call us or reach out to us online today. 

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