Kadin2048's Journal: A Technological Solution to Drunk Driving?

(Submitted as a story on 11/21/2006.)

The U.S.-based anti-drunk-driving group Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has announced its new campaign this week, which prominently features technological measures against drunk driving. In particular, MADD is planning a nationwide call for wider use of "ignition interlocks," devices which require a driver to blow into a Breathalyzer in order to start their car, for all convicted drunk drivers and not just repeat offenders. However, the group sees this as only the first stage in a wider plan, which would eventually make Breathalyzer-like devices standard equipment in all U.S. automobiles. According to the N.Y. Times article: "Ms. Ferguson said the most promising technologies would work automatically, like air bags." Automatic, mandatory alcohol sensing has received support from the Governors Highway Safety Association, whose chairman was quoted as saying "When 40 percent of all our crashes are alcohol-involved, I don't think it's going to be that difficult of a sell."

Right up until

[rk]

You tell the people that this equipment needs monthly calibration that costs about 75 bucks each month. Or at least that's what the currently used models need. Time will tell with future tech.

I'm all in favor of keeping drunks off the road (I got into an accident with drunks in '05 that was serious enough to have my wife get a helicopter ride) but requiring responsible drivers to pony up for the additional cost of the equipment and the calibration (given current technology) is not right, either.

I beli

MADD has become a hindrance.

[Kadin2048]

The objective is to make the roads safer, not stop drunk driving

I definitely agree. I think yours would be an excellent proposal; although I haven't personally had any run-ins with someone driving under the influence, I know several people who have. It seems like the usual M.O. is for the other driver to flee the scene, for exactly the reasons you described.

Unfortunately, groups like MADD -- which was once a good organization but has now descended into neo-prohibitionism (to the point where the group's orig

Insane

[Salvance]

This is crazy. Our autos will increase in price by hundreds to thousands of dollars for a device that could be foiled with a large bag and a piece of tape. At what point does the government decide that we all need to wear sumo suits while driving to ensure we can't get hurt? Oh, and make anyone who has been given the privelege to walk on city sidewalks wear the sumo suits too.

Too bad this story wasn't posted, it's a good one. Nice work.