Nine U.S. senators have introduced a new bill known as Research of Alcohol Detection Systems for Stopping Alcohol-related Fatalities Everywhere, ROADS SAFE, that aims to provide $60 million in federal funding over the next five years in order to research systems that could be installed on all new vehicles aimed at eliminating drunk driving.
The senators says that the bill is aimed at the actual research and development of new technologies, such as a possible detection system through touch on the steering wheel, rather than the implementation of any mandates requiring such devices to be installed in all vehicles. But not everyone sees it the same way, according to a report by the Star Telegram.
The system being tested reportedly limits drivers at a low cutoff of just .03 blood alcohol content, and after six failed attempts will keep the vehicle from starting at all.
Sarah Longwell, managing director of the American Beverage Institute, which represents over 8,000 restaurants across the U.S. says, “The bill’s sponsors and supporters claim the alcohol detectors would be voluntary and set at 0.08, but there is a mountain of evidence showing that their true goal is to put alcohol-sensing technology in all cars as original equipment, set well below the 0.08 level.”
Longwell goes on to explain that while the American Beverage Institute certainly does not condone drunk driving, she believes this legislation will inevitably lead to more legislation that will place these devices in all calls, with detection levels closer to what would be reached from a single glass of wine or a beer with dinner. Longwell believes the bill will eventually take away law-abiding citizens’ right to consume a safe volume of alcohol and then be able to drive home.
(More after video)
Proponents for the bill, ranging from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, to the nine senators backing the bill argue legislation like this is the next logical step in saving lives and combating drunken driving.
“While we’ve made good progress over the last decade in reducing drunk driving…it continues to be a primary cause of fatal crashes in my home state, and across the country,” said Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., the lead bill sponsor. “This legislation will help keep Americans safe on the road by spurring the development of new technologies to prevent – and hopefully eliminate – drunk driving crashes in the future.”
Although it could be argued either way, some say that Udall’s choice of words in suggesting the bill could lead to “eliminating” drunk driving proves that the long-term goal is not a voluntary system, but a mandatory one.
The bill calls for $12 million per year for research, and the funds would come from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s existing – and admittedly underfunded – budget.
References
1.’Bill proposes sale…’ view
