Technology To Prevent Impaired Driving
Think about the lives that could be saved and the injuries that could be prevented if cars could detect whether a driver is impaired.
Technology exists now, and more is being developed, that can detect whether a driver is impaired and stop the car from moving or bring it to safe stop. These include:
- sensor systems that detect alcohol levels through touch or ambient air,
- monitoring systems that look at vehicle movement, such as lane departures,
- and systems that monitor a driver’s head and eye movement and pupil dilation.
Examples of Existing and Developing Technologies
This technology will virtually eliminate alcohol-impaired driving on our roads.
Drivers will not need to give a breath sample or take any other action. The technology is passive, unobtrusive and virtually invisible to drivers. It is nothing like a breathalyzer or alcohol ignition interlock. For sober drivers, they simply start their car and drive away.
Putting This Technology in Cars
In 2021, the United States passed legislation (the HALT Act) requiring anti-impaired driving technology to be standard equipment in all new vehicles by 2027.
MADD Canada believes similar legislation is needed in our country.
- Add your voice to our call for the Government of Canada to require anti-impaired driving technology in all new vehicles. Sign our petition today!
- MADD Canada calls on Transportation Ministers to advance in-car technology to prevent impaired driving
Tremendous progress has been made over the past 30+ years to reduce impaired driving in Canada. But despite the advances in laws and penalties, enhanced enforcement and detection, and continued awareness efforts, some people continue to drive impaired.
A recent report from the Traffic Injury Research Foundation showed that in 2020 the percentage of Canadians killed in a crash with a drinking driver was 27.2% (447 people). Further, a MADD Canada report shows there were nearly 87,000 federal charges and provincial sanctions for impaired driving in 2019.
Every year in this country, hundreds of people are killed, and thousands are injured in impaired driving crashes. These deaths and injuries are tragic, senseless and completely preventable.
When fully implemented on all new cars in the United States, this technology is expected to save more than 9,000 lives each year, according to a 2020 study. Canada’s numbers would be smaller obviously because of our population but technology would prevent the majority of alcohol-impaired driving deaths here as well.
MADD Canada realizes it will take years to see all vehicles on the road equipped with this technology. But the sooner we begin this important work, the sooner we will save lives and prevent injuries.
Additional Information:
- Should Canada follow U.S. lead and make anti-impaired technology mandatory in all new cars? (CBC.ca, January 15, 2023)
- New alcohol sensors aim to end drunk driving (Today.com May 20, 2022)
- Congress mandates new car technology to stop drunken driving (Associated Press November 9, 2022)
Existing and Developing Technologies
In-car technology to detect impaired drivers is not a new endeavour. Various technologies have been in development for many years.
The Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) was established in 2006 to develop technology to prevent cars from moving if the driver’s BAC is over a pre-set limit. DADSS is developing both breath sensor and touch sensor technologies.
Individual auto manufacturers have also been working on these kinds of anti-drunk driving technologies, including:
- In 2019, Volvo announced technology, including in-car cameras and other sensors, that monitor the driver for intoxication or distraction.
- In 2007, Nissan unveiled a concept car with features to prevent impaired driving, including alcohol odor sensors, facial monitoring and vehicle operational behaviour to detect driver impairment.
- In 2007, Toyota announced a drunk driving prevention system that uses sensors to detect presence of alcohol in the driver.
Alcohol Ignition Interlocks
The most wide-spread anti-impaired driving device currently in use is the alcohol ignition interlock. This device is generally required to be installed in the vehicles of many convicted impaired driving offenders for a period of time. It is similar to a breathalyzer and is installed on a vehicle’s dashboard. Before the vehicle can be started, the driver must provide a breath sample. If the driver’s BAC is over a pre-set limit, the car will not start. Once the vehicle is started, the interlock device requires the driver to provide breath samples at random pre-set times while the vehicle is in operation.
The alcohol ignition interlock is an effective tool that provides offenders with the ability to drive while ensuring public safety by preventing them from driving impaired. They help change drinking and driving behaviours and prevent people from becoming repeat offenders.
MADD Canada supports mandatory interlocks for all individuals with federal or province/territorial impaired driving offences. Maximizing the use of ignition interlocks is one of MADD Canada’s key legislative policy priorities.
For more information, see:
It is important to note that the in-car technology being recommended as standard equipment in all vehicles is not the same as the ignition interlock. The new technology is passive, meaning the driver does not have to do anything. If they are sober, the car starts and they are on their way.
Technology Partnerships
Many companies are working on developing technology that can prevent impaired driving. To find out how your company can get involved in MADD Canada’s Technology Partnership Program for preventing deaths and injuries on Canadian roads, contact:
Dawn Regan, Chief Operating Officer
MADD Canada
(905) 829-8805 or 1-800-665-6233, extension 223 or dregan@madd.ca
Technology Sponsors
Gold Technology Partners
Alco Prévention Canada Inc.
Smart Start Canada