Can Technology Stop Drunk Driving?

Highway signs warning about drinking and driving

Did you know intoxicated drivers cause 4.13 times more accidents than sober drivers? In 2012, a company named TruTouch invented an infrared alcohol detector. Installed in vehicles, this technology works by detecting the amount of alcohol present in a person by the amount of infrared light reflected back. Infrared alcohol detectors are revolutionary technology that can exist in vehicles, so, if need be, a person can rely on them and prevent making the biggest mistake of their life.

Companies like TruTouch are finding ways to install alcohol detecting technology into vehicles. Some of this technology can actually stop a vehicle from being driven if the driver is suspected to be under the influence. 

The creators of TruTough, Takata, received grants from the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) and from the Automotive Coalition for the Traffic Safety (ACTS) to further develop their product for installation in vehicles. This proves the validity of infrared and what scientists believe it can do to tackle the drunk driving crisis.

Amazingly technology like this exists and should be installed in all vehicles! In the last decade technology like this is the reason drunk accidents are decreasing. 

You might be thinking to yourself, "but I've seen so much awareness on drunk driving". Have you seen it? Sure. But it's not enough, we need to act now and install the technology.

Campaigns and activists speak out on behalf of survivors or victims of drunk driving accidents. While awareness is a great beginning, more action must take place. 

Installing drunk driving detecting technology will decrease the amount of drunk driving accidents. Driving under the influence is a public health crisis and has horrible consequences. Personally, family friends of mine have passed away from drunk driving and it's scary. 

Hundreds of thousands of accidents globally are due to DUIA's (driving under the influence of alcohol). Out of the 1.25 million deaths that occur annually on the road, at least 273,000 of those are because of one or more drunk drivers. This issue not only impacts the person intoxicated but also other drivers and their families. 

Party goes drinking on the Fourth of July

Patriotic holidays like the Fourth of July also claim high numbers of drunk driving accidents. People should be more aware on holidays like these because some Americans take it too far.

Traditions like binge drinking and extreme partying while off work for these Holidays is taking lives. Who is to blame? Traditions or the people following them?

1. Fourth of July: 42.4 DUI deaths
2. Memorial Day: 39.5 DUI deaths
3. Labor Day: 38.1 DUI deaths

While the breathalyzer does exist and stops some drunk drivers on holidays, the reinvented one should become the new standard. 

 The modern breathalyzer is installed into the ignition system and mounted under the dash. The breathalyzer then requires the driver to breathe into it and pass the test before the vehicle is allowed to start. If it detects alcohol above the legal limit in someone's breath, the car will not start and an accident will be prevented.

If technology like this was installed into more cars I would have lost less friends, and maybe you would have too. It's time to "Make America Modern Again" because right now it doesn't seem so great.

Technology is quickly advancing and paving the way for safer roads. Installing alcohol detecting technology into vehicles will continue to decrease the amount of drunk driving accidents. Technology detecting alcohol is key to eliminating this issue and saving lives!