Can Technology Prevent Drunken Driving?

Government and industry representatives plan to discuss the future of drunken-driving prevention through the use of new technology. The group includes U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, an automaker trade group and others. They’ll look at which technologies can best combat drunken driving, and this isn’t just for convicted offenders.

There will be a continued push for existing breathalyzer-type devices — that immobilize the car if the driver blows a dangerous blood alcohol level — to be required of more violators. The group will also look at more advanced devices, which measure the skin and even eye movement, and consider having them integrated into all cars, not just cars driven by repeat offenders.

Drunken driving deaths have barely changed in the past few years; last year saw 16,885 alcohol-related traffic fatalities.

[Panel Takes Aim at Drinkers, The Detroit News]