Could the day be coming when every driver is checked for drinking before starting a car? That’s the question asked by USA Today columnist Jayne O’Donnell. According to the report, New York state legislators are considering requiring the devices on all new vehicles by 2009. “If the public wants it and the data support it, it is literally possible that the epidemic of drunk driving could be solved where cars simply could not be operated by drunk drivers,” says Chuck Hurley, CEO of MADD, which is hosting its first conference on drunken-driving technology in June. “What a great day that would be.” Similar legislation is under consideration in Sweden. Regulators there are expected to soon propose a deadline of 2012 for all cars to have alcohol interlocks. The Leftlane Perspective: As terrible as drunk driving is, we cannot accept something like this being legislated on all cars. Rather, we think it would be great if insurance companies offered deep discounts for users of these optional devices. That way, most people would use them by choice.
Saab ’s breathalyzer key:
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Volvo ’s seatbelt-mounted system:
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