Skip to main content

Calls for drunk driving prevention research measure

A broad range of safety, auto, insurance and alcohol industry groups and companies has called on the US Congress to pass legislation to provide funding for an advanced drunk driving detection research programme. They claim it could lead to more than 8,000 fewer highway fatalities each year and a nationwide economic cost saving of approximately US$130 billion annually. In a letter to House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee the groups called for inclusion of the ROADS SAFE (Research of Alcohol Detect
April 17, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
A broad range of safety, auto, insurance and alcohol industry groups and companies has called on the 2018 US Congress to pass legislation to provide funding for an advanced drunk driving detection research programme. They claim it could lead to more than 8,000 fewer highway fatalities each year and a nationwide economic cost saving of approximately US$130 billion annually.

In a letter to House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee the groups called for inclusion of the ROADS SAFE (Research of Alcohol Detection Systems for Stopping Alcohol-related Fatalities Everywhere) legislation in the safety portion of the surface transportation measure under development by the Committee.

The letter states that the legislation "would authorise the transfer of currently unused safety funds at a rate of $12 million annually for five years to support and expand the ongoing DADSS (Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety) research programme currently being undertaken by the 834 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and leading automakers.

"The goal of this research programme is to develop a publicly-supported technology for vehicles that will instantaneously and passively detect if a driver is drunk (above the legal limit of .08 BAC) and prevent the vehicle from starting. The technology must also be extremely accurate, inexpensive and a non-invasive optional safety feature," the letter adds.

Groups and companies on the letter are 4939 AAA, 4940 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, 2094 Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, 4941 Allstate Insurance, 4942 American Academy of Pediatrics, 4944 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 4956 American Automotive Policy Council, 4957 American Highway Users Alliance, 4945 American International Automobile Dealers Association, 4626 American Trucking Association, 4946 Association of Global Automakers, 4947 Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, 4948 Governors Highway Safety Association, 4949 Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 4950 National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers, 4951 National Beer Wholesalers Association, 4952 National Organizations for Youth Safety, 4953 National Safety Council, 4954 Nationwide Insurance, 4955 Safe Kids USA, 2192 State Farm Mutual Insurance Company, The 4958 Century Council and 4959 Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America.

Related Content

  • The case for tolling the Interstates
    April 20, 2012
    Speaking at an event organised by the IBTTA last week to an audience of federal and state transportation officials, policy experts, financial analysts, and representatives from engineering firms, technology companies, and transportation facility operators, Ed Regan of Wilbur Smith Associates articulated a clear case for giving states flexibility to toll existing interstate highways.
  • Orthopaedic surgeons launch campaign against distracted driving
    May 21, 2012
    The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) have announced their members' commitment to end the distracted driving problem in America. This national initiative, made possible, in part, with support from the Auto Alliance, encourages drivers to 'decide to drive' and includes a new multimedia public service advertising (PSA) campaign, interactive Web site, school curriculum, print public service poster contest and materials to help surgeons talk to all thei
  • Maturing photo enforcement gains legal status, public support
    August 2, 2012
    In the US, affirmation of the photo traffic enforcement sector's legal status and rising public support were significant aspects of 2009. James Tuton, President and CEO of American Traffic Solutions, looks back over the year. In 2009, the photo traffic enforcement industry in North America continued to grow and mature, accompanied by increased public, legislative and legal scrutiny. While public support remains strong, we also saw increased attempts to undermine the industry by representatives of a small bu
  • ITS America applauds passing of FAST Act
    December 7, 2015
    The US House of Representatives has approved the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, five-year legislation to improve America’s roads, bridges, public transit, and rail transportation systems and reform federal surface transportation programs. Among the FAST Act provisions are: US$100 million per year for intelligent transportation systems (ITS) research; Creation of a new US$60 million per year Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Program designed to