25 replies to this topic

[Hilander]

Quote

(CBS News) CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The message from police to party-goers this New Year's Eve is: "Drive sober or get pulled over."
There were nearly 10,000 deaths from drunk driving in the U.S. last year, down 2.5 percent from the year before.
There is now a debate over technology that could prevent drunk drivers from starting their engines.

New technology to keep drunk drivers from driving

Although I don't relish meeting a drunk driver on the road I can't help but see this as something else that won't work right after the warranty is gone and will be expensive to repair.

[Hasina]

How about putting it into cars of known drinkers?

Edited by Hasina, 01 January 2013 - 04:37 PM.

[Still Waters]

I've actually heard about something like this before. It detects if you're over the drink limit and prevents you from starting the ignition on your car, or something along those lines is what I heard. Anything at all that keeps drunk drivers off the roads gets a vote from me!

[Purplos]

Quote

How about putting it into cars of known drinkers?

How are they (who? car accessory manufacturers?) supposed to know who a known drinker is?

Or do you mean people who have been convicted of drunk driving before?

[AquilaChrysaetos]

Any method that'll help save lives and still not intrude into other people's privacy is welcomed by me.

[glorybebe]

AquilaChrysaetos, on 01 January 2013 - 11:03 PM, said:

Any method that'll help save lives and still not intrude into other people's privacy is welcomed by me.

I agree.  If they started to put it into all vehicles, I wouldn't have a problem if I had to do this every time I started my car if it saved lives.

[Hasina]

It will also cut down on people borrowing each others cars. 'Can I use your car today?' 'Gotta use my breathalyzer, and I haven't changed that thing in weeks~' 'Nevermind...'

[joc]

If you want to stop drunks from driving, make bars where people can drink and then drive illegal.  And for those that do it anyway.  If you kill someone while driving because you were drunk...capital punishment.  If you get caught drinking and driving...you go to jail, and the state takes your vehicle.  First time...every time.

[glorybebe]

Hasina, on 02 January 2013 - 12:16 AM, said:

It will also cut down on people borrowing each others cars. 'Can I use your car today?' 'Gotta use my breathalyzer, and I haven't changed that thing in weeks~' 'Nevermind...'

EEEWWWWW!!!! LOL

[lightly]

Hasina, on 01 January 2013 - 04:37 PM, said:

How about putting it into cars of known drinkers?

       Now there is a good idea.   !       ..Putting them in every vehicle would bring transportation to a near stop.    How could truckers get anywhere for instance?     (kidding)  lol

[Rhino666]

It's all good and well inventing it,; the question is will people want it. Public acceptance is the key.

[BiffSplitkins]

New York State has already been using this. If you are convicted of a misdemeanor or felony DWI, chances are that the judge will order you to have an interlock device installed in your vehicle at your own expense.

http://www.lifesafer...-new-york-laws/

[highdesert50]

It would be interesting to pursue instituting a mandatory sensor on those convicted of DUI/DWI as a federal mandate. But, further sustain this device for a period of at least ten years at the owner's expense.

[pallidin]

Well, since driving is a privilege and not a "right", I suppose who could argue any new mandate.

Besides which, far too many completely innocent people and entire families are killed or ruined by drunk driving.

I do question the technology, though. Nearly all technology is defeatable. They did say it could take 10 years to "perfect" it to some reasonable level. But I question even that.

I would agree with some others here that MUCH tougher laws might be more effective. Not 100%, nothing is, but I think tougher laws are a better solution at this time.

[Timonthy]

Hasina, on 01 January 2013 - 04:37 PM, said:

How about putting it into cars of known drinkers?

We do this in Aus. Alcohol breath test ignition interlock devices for some drink drivers. However you can get around it pretty easily (Just get someone who is .00 to blow for you).

To be effective the device would need to somehow I.D the driver so it's not just someone else turning the car on for them.