Washington - Dadss - Driver Alcohol Detection System

Washington: Preventing Drunk Driving with Innovation

Starting in 2024, Washington became the newest state partner of Driven to Protect, an initiative of the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) Research Program. This work is powered by the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS), which represents the world’s leading automakers.

Led by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, Driven To Protect | Washington is testing new alcohol detection sensors on its roads, giving local communities an early look at the sensors under development, and demonstrating the potential of technology to prevent alcohol-impaired driving and save lives. This program reflects the state’s commitment to shared responsibility, innovative safety solutions, and a strong traffic safety culture—ensuring all road users can travel safely.

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.

Driven to Protect | Washington has integrated the prototype alcohol sensors into three Department of Transportation vehicles throughout Washington State. Naturalistic tests like these help researchers gather valuable data on system performance, ease of use, and reliability in everyday driving conditions. The feedback and data from these tests will help refine the technology before it is widely deployed.

Community Engagement

Driven to Protect | Washington will offer hands-on demonstrations of the technology at community
events, giving the public a chance to experience the sensors for themselves, and letting technology
developers hear first-hand the questions, concerns, and feedback that drivers have, and help answer
those questions. The program will also engage with first responders, healthcare professionals, and local organizations to foster a culture of shared responsibility.

In addition, Driven to Protect | Washington will offer Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
(STEM) programming that explains how the sensors work, how they are tested, and how technology can be used for breakthroughs in public health and safety.

More Resources

Alcohol-impaired driving continues to endanger Washington communities, contributing to a significant number of crashes, injuries, and fatalities each year. In 2023 alone, 243 people lost their lives in alcohol- related crashes, accounting for 30% of all roadway fatalities in the state. By launching Driven to Protect | Washington, the state is demonstrating its commitment to preventing impaired driving before it happens—leveraging advanced technology, education, and community engagement to build a safer future.

Download the Driven to Protect | Washington overview

Washington State Joins National Effort to End Drunk Driving

Learn how Washington is advancing in-vehicle alcohol detection technology to stop drunk driving before it starts.

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.