Future cars to detect drunken drivers

Auto mobile technologies are expanding and all for good. Earlier it was known that the auto biggies are coming with electric car which will zero on the emission level. And now it is being learnt that the future cars will come with technologies which will help in zeroing drunken drivers. Researchers in Massachusetts are working on a system which in future will prevent the drunken drivers from putting the ignition on if the alcohol content is high. It will measure the limit with the driver's blood alcohol level.

The new technique being developed will be known as the Driver Alcohol Detection Systems for Safety that will help in detecting the alcohol content by using sensors likely in two ways, by sensing the drivers breath or from their skin. The researchers will use the new technology in the touch based sensors placed on the door locks and steering wheels.

If the drivers blood alcohol content is more than .08 per cent which is higher than the legal limit set by the government, the car will not start. The new technology is being developed by the research development facility QinetiQ North America Inc with Sweden and New Mexico enterprises and will be soon available with other auto mobile manufacturers.

The QinetiQ engineers said that different from the court ordered breath analyser ignition locks, in which the car driver blows in a tube and wait for sometime for the result, in the new system, the drivers' alcohol level can be checked in nano seconds.

In 2008, the foundation of the project was established with subsidy of 10 million USD given by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety, an industrial group which represents various auto mobile makers from the globe. The project will end in 2013. The new technology concept was represented at an event which was graced with the presence by Ray LaHood US Transportation Secretary.

David Strickland, head at National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, said that the new technology will help in preventing nearly 9,000 alcohol related accidents in one year in US. However, he said that the new technology will not be available in the auto markets just now as it still needs testing. He said it will take another 8 to 10 years for the commercial use. Strickland stated a valid point that the new system cannot be used until they are perfect and accurate.

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