Connecticut - Dadss - Driver Alcohol Detection System

Connecticut: Driving Innovation to End Drunk Driving

In 2023, Connecticut became the newest state partner of Driven to Protect, an initiative of the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) Program, which empowers states to join the fight against drunk driving by advancing lifesaving vehicle safety technology.

Under the leadership of Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Office of Highway Safety the Driven to Protect | Connecticut Initiative is testing alcohol-detection technology on its roads and introducing the technology to vehicle owners across the state, encouraging them to consider it as an important safety feature in future vehicles.

On Road Testing

The DADSS Program is developing a first-of-its-kind alcohol detection technology to measure and precisely quantify when a driver is intoxicated with a BAC at or above 0.08% – the legal limit in most states – and prevent the vehicle from moving. The breakthrough technology is designed to be fast, accurate, reliable, and affordable. And unlike existing alcohol detection technologies, it is not a punitive device, but designed to be seamlessly installed into new vehicles and not affect normal driving behavior.

In Connecticut, five government vehicles are equipped with prototype sensors, generating real-world operational data and feedback to improve the technology. In addition, a “demonstration vehicle” is touring the state, giving Connecticut residents a first-hand look at how the sensors work.

Discovery Hub

In addition to technological solutions, Connecticut believes in the proven benefits of early education about the dangers of drunk driving. The Driven to Protect | Connecticut Initiative includes STEM-based educational opportunities for students through the Driven to Protect Discovery Hub, our free online education platform, as well as in-classroom experiences for CT schools.

The STEM programming puts students in the shoes of the engineers and data analysts working
on the DADSS technology and shows them the real-world application of their lessons. Other
learning modules inform new drivers about the dangers of alcohol-impaired driving, the laws of
Connecticut, and how the technology is designed to prevent the problem before it starts –
inspiring the next generation to think about how STEM can solve some of society’s biggest
problems.

More Resources

Drunk driving remains a significant threat to all Connecticut families and road users. According to NHTSA data, there were 113 fatalities due to impaired driving on Connecticut roads in 2023. Through launching the Driven to Protect | Connecticut Initiative, Connecticut is demonstrating its commitment to innovative solutions intended to eliminate drunk driving.

Explore the Discovery Hub

This online learning platform offers free educational resources – including a series of STEM-inspired lessons – about alcohol-impaired driving and the ways the DADSS technology can prevent it.

Sen. Blumenthal joins 2024 Driven to Protect | Connecticut event

“This new technology promises a breakthrough advance in saving lives from drunk driving.”