Drunk driving—drink driving in the UK, I believe—was responsible for nearly 18,000 traffic deaths in the U.S. last year, according to MADD. So, if you can’t get people to cooperate, get the car to. Nissan has developed an in-car system that detects if a driver is intoxicated. If the system detects that you’re sloshed, the car refuses to start. Checks include: A moisture sensor in the transmission knob tests your perspiration for the presence of alcohol; A Face-monitoring camera in the dash determines if you appear to be cognizant of your surrounds, i.e., about to propel several tons of metal down a highway; an air sensor detects alcohol.
I don’t know if the technology here is exactly “shiny new”—”shiny new” being the newest, bestest form of new—but it’s certainly worth a mention. No matter how many megapixels your digital SLR is, it’s not going to save your life after a night of recklessness.
Nissan Concept Car showcase anti drunk-driving technology [Fareastgizmos]
If you’ve been drinking and you really need to drive, you can just cover up or disable the sensors.
If you are drinking you don’t -need- to drive.
I am in no means a fan of MADD – they have long outlived their usefulness and are more intested in abolishing liquor these days. But these systems are useful since banning a person from driving doesn’t work.
The systems in question will not function if they detect something up with the sensors. You need to pass the test in order to start the car. They also repeat the tests periodically to combat someone sober starting your car and you taking over. These systems are more useful for people who have been busted for DUI’s (a more common issue considering the lowering of the thresholds to .8) and need to use a car for work etc.
I’m confused. What does a DSLR or its resolution have to do with this Nissan technology?
I saw a video on drunk drivers and now I really believe that it can work and reduce the drunk drivers on the roads.
Check this link to see what happen to drunk drivers:
http://www.wwwpd.org/?p=58
There are seatbelt laws to save lives, children’s car seats required for young children and helmet laws for motorcyclists all implimented to save lives so I think it is important for all new automobiles to have a device like your installed at the factory to also save lives. Also, I have personally seen how the DUI business works and how much money the lawyers and local municipalities make from drunk drivers thru excessive fees and fines.
Is there any legislation pending requiring automobile manufacturers to install drunk driver prevention devices? The time has come now for this to happen. Please let me know.
Thanks
Brad Smith