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NTSB Calls for Alcohol Detection Systems in All New Vehicles

ntsb.gov

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Re: NTSB Calls for Alcohol Detection Systems in All New Vehicles

#62
post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Yeah, "speed limits" are primarily a political game, not anything based in reality. This is utter absurd, it's definitely based in the reality of 1/2 m*v^2. Decreasing the speed decreases the kinetic energy of impacts, decreasing injuries and deaths. That's the reality. The fact that American roads were designed as the beastly stroads and 6-lanes inner city avenues that are present all around doesn't mean their spe…

I lived and drove up and down Europe, though not Norway. Roads there are designed to be less injurious, and speeding fines can be very high. There is also little tolerance for any drinking and driving. USA infatuation with left turns across roads posted at 45 mph or higher lead to deadly T-bone collisions. European roads often have roundabouts which naturally slow traffic and a collision would be a glancing side kiss…

Agree with this and the left turn dangers. I’ve heard EU countries among others are also much more strict than the US in terms of DUI punishments - license revoked for life.

Re: NTSB Calls for Alcohol Detection Systems in All New Vehicles

#65
"43,000 people were killed last year, the greatest number in 16 years"

True, but there were also 250 billion more miles traveled than 16 years ago and a population of roughly 40 million more people. So though the raw number is higher, the traffic fatalities per mile traveled and per capita is actually lower than it was back then.

Re: NTSB Calls for Alcohol Detection Systems in All New Vehicles

#66
Fantastic. This is a huge win for everybody. After midnight more than 1 in 8 drivers on the road are legally intoxicated (in the US). Driving is a liberty, not a right.

I can understand why this would be limited to alcohol (at least starting out) as alcohol leaves the body rapidly and the diminished capacity leaves with the alcohol. Eventually I would like to see this applied to a variety of intoxicants.

Re: NTSB Calls for Alcohol Detection Systems in All New Vehicles

#68
post #56

The text of this law is nonsensical. > The passage defining what Congress actually wants describes a system that can "passively monitor the performance of a driver of a motor vehicle to accurately identify whether that driver may be impaired; and... prevent or limit motor vehicle operation if an impairment is detected." This is only half of the proposed system, though. The other half specifically references blood alc…

For the first half, it's possible by requiring manual drive for a few minutes before auto cruise. It's enough to handle most cases unless driver drink alcohol in the car.

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