The Driven to Protect Initiative and Virginia DMV presented new alcohol detection technology at Wednesday’s highway safety summit.
The technology has the capability of sensing someone’s alcohol level simply by inspecting the air in the car.
The sensor is located on the driver’s side so it will only sense the driver’s blood alcohol concentration level. If over the legal limit, the car will remain stationary, preventing the driver from traveling. Some believe it could make roadways safer.
“This program has the capability to prevent a drunk driver from driving. This doesn’t have to do with persuading people not to drive. This could prevent people from driving if they’re drunk,” says George Bishop, deputy commissioner for the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
The technology could be ready for fleet use by 2021, and for consumer use by 2023.