Mandatory impairment sensors gain funding, but are they prepared?

The Fight for Safer Roads: A Push for Impairment-Detection Technology

A federal law aimed at preventing drunk driving by requiring impairment-detection devices in all new cars has faced challenges, but it continues to move forward despite delays and concerns about the readiness of the technology. This law, named after a tragic incident that claimed the lives of four members of a Michigan family, has sparked intense debate among lawmakers, industry leaders, and advocacy groups.

A Tragic Beginning

In January 2019, Rana Abbas Taylor lost her sister, brother-in-law, nephew, and two nieces when a driver with a blood-alcohol level nearly four times the legal limit crashed into their car while they were traveling through Lexington, Kentucky. The accident, which occurred on their way home from a Florida vacation, became a catalyst for Abbas Taylor to become a powerful voice in the fight against drunk driving.

This tragedy led to the creation of the Honoring Abbas Family Legacy to Terminate Drunk Driving Act, which was included in the $1 trillion infrastructure law signed by former President Joe Biden in 2021. Often referred to as the Halt Drunk Driving Act, this legislation aims to require auto companies to implement technology that can "passively" detect when drivers are impaired and prevent their vehicles from operating.

How the Technology Works

The law allows regulators to choose from various options, including air monitors that sample the car's interior for traces of alcohol, fingertip readers that measure a driver’s blood-alcohol level, or scanners that detect signs of impairment in eye or head movements. The goal is to create a system that does not interfere with the driver’s control of the vehicle, similar to other safety features like seat belts and airbags.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has called this legislation the most significant in its 45-year history. However, the implementation of the law has been delayed due to regulatory hurdles and uncertainty about when final approval might come.

The 'Kill Switch' Debate

One of the main points of contention is the idea of a “kill switch” that could disable a vehicle if it detects impairment. Critics, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, have compared this to a dystopian scenario described in George Orwell’s novel “1984.” They argue that such technology could give the government too much control over individual drivers.

However, the alcohol industry has defended the law, stating that the technology is designed to be passive and not involve government control. Chris Swonger, president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, emphasized that there is no switch, no data sharing, and no government interference involved.

Despite these arguments, some lawmakers remain skeptical. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, who sponsored an effort to defund the law, expressed concerns that even a dashboard acting on its own could serve as “your judge, your jury, and your executioner.” He cited scenarios where a driver might swerve to avoid an accident, only for the car to deactivate itself due to a false positive.

Industry Concerns and Delays

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade association representing U.S. automakers, has also raised concerns about the technology’s readiness. In 2024, the group argued that more research is needed before mandating the technology, warning that even a small number of false positives could disrupt thousands of drivers daily.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), responsible for implementing the law, has stated that it is still assessing developing technologies and expects to report back to Congress soon. While supporters believe the decision may be pushed into 2027, automakers would still have another two to three years to install the required systems.

Vouching for the Tech’s Reliability

Despite the concerns, some organizations are confident in the technology’s potential. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, funded by auto insurers, recently announced that impairment detection technology will soon be part of criteria for top safety awards. Many states already require breath-activated ignition interlock systems for DUI offenders, and the technology under the Halt Act is intended to detect impairment beyond just alcohol.

Stephanie Manning, chief government affairs officer at MADD, said the organization believes the technology exists but needs to be deployed more widely. “We’ve seen many different types of technology that can solve drunk driving,” she said. “We just haven’t seen it deployed and implemented the way that we would like.”

A Hopeful Future

To speed up the process, a bill in Congress offers a $45 million prize for the first company to produce and deploy consumer-ready technology. Abbas Taylor, whose family was affected by the tragedy, remains hopeful. “When you've lost everything, there is nothing that will stop you from fighting for what is right,” she said. “But we see the writing on the wall, and we know it’s only a matter of time before this happens.”