Alcohol related deaths accounted for over 30 percent of the fatalities on the highway for 2011.
That’s actually a 2.5 percent decline but alcohol still remained a factor in almost 10,000 deaths and the National Transportation Safety Board wants to do something about it.
The NTSB suggests that all first-time offender alcohol-impaired drivers be required to have ignition interlocks installed on their cars. The interlock prevents the engine from starting until a breath sample is provided and analyzed.
Currently only 17 states require interlocks for first-time offenders.
A number of car audio dealers at KnowledgeFest this summer said they carry the devices.
The NTSB also strenuously endorses continued development of passive alcohol-detection technology that uses breath- and touch-based sensors.
“Technology is the game changer in reducing alcohol-related crashes on our nation’s roadways,” NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman said. “Achieving zero alcohol-impaired driving-related deaths is possible only if society is willing to separate the impaired driver from the driving task.”
Source: NTSB via The Car Connection
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