NTSB wants all new vehicles to check drivers for alcohol use

[wag123]

This is going a bit too far IMO. Personally, I would never purchase a new vehicle that makes me take a breath test before allowing me to drive it. I understand the need for this to be installed on a vehicle whose driver has been convicted of a DUI. What do you think?

NTSB wants all new vehicles to check drivers for alcohol use

DETROIT (AP) — The National Transportation Safety Board is recommending that all new vehicles in the U.S. be equipped with blood alcohol monitoring systems that can stop an intoxicated person from driving.

apnews.com

 

[bullwinkle]

How about they mandate technology to block all cell phone & wireless signals instead? Seems to be worse than alcohol these days, along with heroin (fentanyl) opioid ODs.

 

[CleanSump]

Guilty until proven innocent? Major overreach.

 

[Passport1]

If autonomous driving vehicle like a Tesla has an inebriated driver/owner in the car but not in control and it is involved in an accident, will the car or the person get arrested?

 

[SC Maintenance]

Does this mean I can no longer stopped at a ride check to ask if I have been drinking - a violation of my 4th amendment irrelevant of what the Supremes say. If so, I might be OK with it.

 

[jeepman3071]

More cost that will be passed on to the consumer, along with another system that can fail and prevent you from starting the vehicle.

 

[CKN]

How about they mandate technology to block all cell phone & wireless signals instead? Seems to be worse than alcohol these days, along with heroin (fentanyl) opioid ODs.

Agree! Cellphones are a MUCH BIGGER ISSUE.

 

[brianl703]

How about they mandate technology to block all cell phone & wireless signals instead? Seems to be worse than alcohol these days, along with heroin (fentanyl) opioid ODs.

There's also people out there who take pain pills and drive. I wonder how safe that really is...

 

[Taildragger]

Guilty until proven innocent? Major overreach.

I came here to say that!

 

[bullwinkle]

There's also people out there who take pain pills and drive. I wonder how safe that really is...

That’s how many of the heroin & prescription drug addicts got their start, heroin is cheaper for the same (or much greater) effect. Opioids are a major curse.

 

[spasm3]

I don't want any of that, but id rather have it a card slot to prove you have a drivers license and insurance before it starts. Too many hit an runs from the non legit crowd.

 

[CKN]

There's also people out there who take pain pills and drive. I wonder how safe that really is...

Well...it always says on the bottle not to take them and drive, assuming it's a legal prescription. BTW-it's still impaired driving under the law.

 

[brianl703]

Well...it always says on the bottle not to take them and drive, assuming it's a legal prescription. BTW-it's still impaired driving under the law.

And how is that supposed to work for people who take opioid pain pills every day for years on end? It doesn't, they take 'em and drive.

 

[brianl703]

That’s how many of the heroin & prescription drug addicts got their start, heroin is cheaper for the same (or much greater) effect. Opioids are a major curse.

I'm aware. There are counties in Virginia where there are doctors who have prescribed enough opioid pills that it amounts to 300 pills per county resident.

 

[tnt_motorsports]

IMO, the alphabet agencies are out of control. Congress is to make laws not organizations that we the people don't elect!

just my $0.02

 

[ka9mnx]

They have been talking about this since the 80's. Some states have a breathalyzer lockout for returning DUI drivers.

 

[CKN]

And how is that supposed to work for people who take opioid pain pills every day for years on end? It doesn't, they take 'em and drive.

Opioid-abusing drivers clearly represent an unnecessary danger to the public; although the vast majority of patients taking prescription opioids for pain safely drive to work and other activities, a subset may be impaired, but not be aware of or recognize the problem. The majority of pain patients would likely be surprised to learn that the legal systems in most parts of the world, including most states in the United States, do not differentiate between a pain patient taking a prescribed opioid at the right dose and frequency, and an abuser taking an illegal drug.

Driving under the influence of opioids: What prescribers should know - PubMed

Opioids affect the central nervous system and are known to produce dizziness, sleepiness, mood changes, and other actions that in some people have a negative impact on psychomotor or mental performance. The negative effects can be exacerbated in persons who are taking other prescription...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[oldhp]

I'm aware. There are counties in Virginia where there are doctors who have prescribed enough opioid pills that it amounts to 300 pills per county resident.

Then those Dr's should be investigated for illegal prescriptions.

 

[92saturnsl2]

And how is that supposed to work for people who take opioid pain pills every day for years on end? It doesn't, they take 'em and drive.

If such a person (legally prescribed) crashes their car, they are driving under the influence. Really no different from a DUI unless their defense team can argue it didn't contribute to the crash.

Typically someone on a prescribed pain regiment takes a steady dose and their body adapts / builds tolerance and you don't really get high. But therein lies the problem with opiates-- they're readily available and once tolerance builds, people seek more.

 

[brianl703]

Then those Dr's should be investigated for illegal prescriptions.

Some of them have. Go to https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases and search for "opioid".