New technology proposed to stop drunken driving in USA

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Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:50 am

New technology proposed to stop drunken driving in USA
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - Xinhua - www.chinaview.cn

　 BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) launched a new campaign, in conjunction with a number of other groups, under which it proposes that alcohol-detection technology be used by drivers to disable their automobiles if they are found to be over the legal blood alcohol limit, The New York Times reported Tuesday.

　 MADD, an organization that works to stop individuals from operating vehicles while under the influence of alcohol, as well as build awareness of the issue, announced the first stage of the plan in Washington Monday, and it was to be backed by a national association of state highway representatives and car producers.

The initial phase includes an effort to modify existing drunken-driving regulations in 49 states to include a mandate that would order people convicted on drunken-driving charges to install devices that shut down their vehicles if alcohol is detected on their breath, the Times reported.

The devices, dubbed ignition interlocks, are already used in several states for people who have been convicted of drunken driving on numerous occasions.

New Mexico last year passed a law that requires first-time drunken-driving offenders to employ ignition interlocks, and attributed its 11.3 percent drop in related fatalities last year in part to the use of the devices, though the regulation wasn't official until June 17, 2005.

Bill Richards, New Mexico governor, called the devices "an integral part of our success," according to the Times.

MADD and the other groups involved don't think the devices are a complete solution to the drunken-driving problem in the United States, as they can easily be deceived if a sober passenger or bystander blows into the Breathalyzer tube, but they do say the ignition interlocks will likely reduce the number of repeat offenses.

The groups eventually want every vehicle to include a non-obtrusive form of ignition interlock that would test drivers for alcohol in a way that wouldn't impede normal actions.

MADD Chief Executive Officer Chuck Hurley suggested that car insurers may eventually offer discounts and additional incentives to individuals who employ such technologies.

The parties also detailed Monday a new initiative with the Department of Transportation aimed at boosting enforcement of drunken-driving laws and related penalties.

CNF2002 · #2 Unread post by **CNF2002** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 3:30 am

Ridiculous, with all the false positives there will be. Breathalyzers are not very reliable. If you have had a drink within the last 30 minutes, it will show your alcohol level to be higher than it really is (at least that's what my instructions on my portable breathalyser says). So if you have a glass of wine and jump into the car, it will shut down?

What about other products that have been shown to set them off, like mouthwash?

There is a new technology on the market using infared to measure alcohol levels directly in your bloodstream. Its new and not widespread, but far more accurate (and takes a reading instantly) than the breathing devices. Theoretically I think it would be cheaper to manufacture as well.

If they could get an infared detector on the steering wheel that quietly checked the readings every few minutes, they would make sure that whoever was driving was not intoxicated.

Yet I could only support this as a punishment for convicted DUI offenders, since as an honest citizen I don't like my car treating me like a criminal every time I get in (like how my Microsoft Windows treats me).

Tue Nov 21, 2006 10:11 pm

LOL OK so let me get this straight. They want me to prove I'm not drunk to drive a car I paid for. What happened to innocent until proven guilty ?

I guess if its to "save the children" or "protect us from terrorists(tm)" its ok to infringe peoples rights.

For the record MADD won't rest until alcohol is banned completely. Thats their ulitmate goal.

jonnythan · #4 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 5:18 am

MrGompers wrote:LOL OK so let me get this straight. They want me to prove I'm not drunk to drive a car I paid for. What happened to innocent until proven guilty ?

Similar to forced castration of repeat sex offenders. Commit a particularly heinous or repeat violation of a law and you may find the government taking steps to actively prevent you from violating that law again.

It's fine with me. If you prove that you can't be trusted not to operate an automobile while drunk (or that you can't be trusted not to rape 10 year old boys), you've given up said right.

For the record MADD won't rest until alcohol is banned completely. Thats their ulitmate goal.

I believe that is an unfair characterization of the group. Back in my home town, a couple of my family friends were active MADD members and leaders. They had nothing against alcohol and all of them were social drinkers.

flynrider · #5 Unread post by **flynrider** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 9:32 am

jonnythan wrote:Similar to forced castration of repeat sex offenders.

Where do you live, Saudi Arabia??

#6 Unread post by **MrGompers** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 9:33 am

I think you missed the part that said MADD wants installation of these breathalyzers in all cars. Regardless if you have been convicted of a crime.

If you have already been convicted of DWI I think the installation of these devices is fine.

While individual memebers of MADD may be good people. The organizations goal is the complete ban of alcohol. The former MADD president even stated this as a reason why she left. I will have to dig up the article.

jonnythan · #7 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 9:39 am

flynrider wrote:
jonnythan wrote:Similar to forced castration of repeat sex offenders.
Where do you live, Saudi Arabia??

The United States of America.

Wed Nov 22, 2006 10:15 am

Let there be no doubt on the true goal of MADD.

Directly from the founder and former president of MADD Candy Lightner

The founding president of MADD, Candy Lightner, left in disgust from the organization that she herself created because of its change in goals. "It has become far more neo-prohibitionist than I ever wanted or envisioned," she says. "I didn't start MADD to deal with alcohol. I started MADD to deal with the issue of drunk driving." Ms. Lightner has apparently put her finger on the problem when she says that if MADD really wants to save lives, it will go after the real problem drivers.

http://www.alcoholfacts.org/CrashCourse ... tml#Back14

flynrider · Wed Nov 22, 2006 12:20 pm

jonnythan wrote:
flynrider wrote:
jonnythan wrote:Similar to forced castration of repeat sex offenders.
Where do you live, Saudi Arabia??
The United States of America.

You should be more clear. The buzzword "Chemical Castration" is hardly the same as "forced castration".