NTSB wants all new vehicles to check drivers for alcohol use

[Propflux01]

You totally missed a couple of my points.
First, I didn't say anything about a bluetooth signal, I said a cell phone signal. A very low sensitivity receiver could be installed inside the driver's seat to detect a cell phone signal within a couple of feet. Second, it would prevent the vehicle from starting, not running, not a safety issue in any way. Regardless, I know that this would never happen so it is just wishful thinking on my part.
I just hate when people text or talk on the phone while driving. I know when I am following someone who is doing this, they drive like they are drunk or high, totally oblivious to everyone else around them, and they cause accidents just as if they were drunk or high.

And what's gonna happen when Joe has a heart attack, Jane gets him in the car, her cell in her purse, and the car doesn't start and she cannot figure out why, because her mind is focused on getting joe to the hospital, and joe dies because of it?

And since were talking phones, why not have all car radios removed, as well?

 

[CKN]

You totally missed a couple of my points.
First, I didn't say anything about a bluetooth signal, I said a cell phone signal. A very low sensitivity receiver could be installed inside the driver's seat to detect a cell phone signal within a couple of feet. Second, it would prevent the vehicle from starting, not running, not a safety issue in any way. Regardless, I know that this would never happen so it is just wishful thinking on my part.
I just hate when people text or talk on the phone while driving. I know when I am following someone who is doing this, they drive like they are drunk or high, totally oblivious to everyone else around them, and they cause accidents just as if they were drunk or high.

Seems like with GPS on phones a program could be written where if a phone exceeds 5mph in the vehicle it couldn't be used. But both the software and the phone would have to be difficult not to overcome the safeguards.

 

[nthach]

Volvo was toying with the idea of a BAC analyzer in their cars a decade ago.

Yes, the courts in CA will allow anyone with a DUI to get their license back - as long as the DMV sees an SR-22 or a cash bond and proof of a breathalyzer. I still don’t think it stops alcoholics from relapsing - while the newest ones require a PIN code or biometrics to unlock, what’s stopping a drunk from asking someone sober to blow into it? They also require maintenance and calibration every few months.

There’s a brush here between privacy and safety. Despite what “sovereign citizens” think, when you signed that line on your drivers license form and passed the written/driving test as well as renewed your license, you pretty much consent to a breathalyzer or blood test if there’s reasonable cause for law enforcement to think you’re under the influence.

 

[brianl703]

while the newest ones require a PIN code or biometrics to unlock, what’s stopping a drunk from asking someone sober to blow into it?

That'll get the car started, but what is the drunk going to do when it wants them to blow into it again while they're driving? If they don't blow it's recorded as a violation, if they do blow it's recorded as a violation, and in either case, at least one of those devices starts honking the horn and flashing the headlights.

 

[nthach]

That'll get the car started, but what is the drunk going to do when it wants them to blow into it again while they're driving?

I’ve never heard of that. If anything, would a BAC interlock work much like a “asset protection” tracker/interlock installed by BHPH lots and subprime lenders that it won’t trip when you’re driving but when you start the car?

 

[brianl703]

I’ve never heard of that. If anything, would a BAC interlock work much like a “asset protection” tracker/interlock installed by BHPH lots and subprime lenders that it won’t trip when you’re driving but when you start the car?

It won't stop the engine while you're driving BUT it can start honking the horn and flashing the headlights if it registers a violation while driving (at least some of them and if wired to do so).

 

[01rangerxl]

I’ve never heard of that. If anything, would a BAC interlock work much like a “asset protection” tracker/interlock installed by BHPH lots and subprime lenders that it won’t trip when you’re driving but when you start the car?

They will intermittently require a test while driving, but most systems probably just record the violation, which is still a big deal since it may mean having your restricted privileges revoked.

We used to have a member here who installed these for a living, I think he was in Texas. He had some very interesting posts.

 

[ZeeOSix]

And this will be next ... but what would be the set speed governed limit?

How Fast Do Cars Have To Be Before The Government Controls Their Speed? - Above the Law

Are speed-limiting laws an abuse of government power in its growing effort to micromanage our lives or are they justified in the name of public safety?

abovethelaw.com

Bill in New York State Senate would require new cars to have speed-limiting tech | Engadget

The legislation also targets blind spots in larger vehicles..

www.engadget.com

 

[chrlsful]

some type of coordinator needs to grab the addiction-and-use-while-driving issue and assist. I have seen the financial and business losses calculated. Possibly worse - many families have major loss due to the drug and alcohol accidents while intoxicated weather to the impaired drivers themselves or those who've been "in the way". I do not do this myself, I would not want to be an innocent bystander effected by this, and I do not wish to give up/allow it to continue either.

 

[Oliveoil2]

Like red light cameras, I think it’s good idea.

 

[Dave9]

This was someone who works for the NTSB. What do those letters stand for anyway, particularly the "S"?

OK, go on...

Yes, unless and until we can fix every other problem, it is advisable to do nothing. There isn't a simple non-invasive test for those drugs equivalent to the breathalyzer for alcohol.

I hope you were being sarcastic, not sure by how you wrote that.

I suppose my point is, you don't have to be found guilty of intoxication, just to be operating a motor vehicle unsafely. IMO courts need some video footage (since this is the trend these days anyway) to decide whether this was just a minor legal infraction or wildly out of control, situation based on intoxication or whatever other cause there may be. The cause isn't as important as the resultant safety risk... could be fighting with angry girlfriend, extremely low IQ, bad health, passenger pet that causes disruptions, whatever... it's the resultant bad driving that has to be the criteria for keeping that person off the roads if they can't make adjustments to change that.

 

[Dave9]

Like red light cameras, I think it’s good idea.

Not necessarily, some areas game that to make more income and have shorter light change intervals to make that happen.

I'm against a lot of penalties like this that don't cause accidents. Plus, not exactly fair to not have a human to testify in court, rather they just assume the camera is working correctly when it is in the benefit of the municipality of the camera for it to be working too aggressively.

I'd much rather just have the cameras there, erasing/recording-over old footage, only serving to record video as evidence of proof when an accident does occur, and not scanning license plate numbers and putting them through the system which seems like an invasion of privacy even if I am not wanted for anything... kind of a situation where I feel like if you let this slide, it will only get worse.

 

[ZeeOSix]

What the justice system needs to do is make even one DUI offense very painful, and subsequent ones really painful and take driving privilege away for a very long time (like 5 years per offense). The only way you make people stop doing bad things is to crack heads really hard. That would probably work better than putting a BOC reader in every new vehicle.

 

[CKN]

And this will be next ... but what would be the set speed governed limit?

How Fast Do Cars Have To Be Before The Government Controls Their Speed? - Above the Law

Are speed-limiting laws an abuse of government power in its growing effort to micromanage our lives or are they justified in the name of public safety?

abovethelaw.com

Bill in New York State Senate would require new cars to have speed-limiting tech | Engadget

The legislation also targets blind spots in larger vehicles..

www.engadget.com

The Utah CHP has started a campaign to crackdown on speeding in Utah. The Utah Highway Patrol routinely pulls people over for exceeding 100mph when the speed limit in areas is 65mph. These are stretches of freeway IN TOWN-not the country. When you are an idiot and it has the ability to affect others-I care.

I'm actually for speed limitations after moving to Utah......And I have been to Texas where apparently speed limits do not exist at all.

 

[fisher83]

If the NTSB has no regulatory authority like the article says and can only ask other agencies like the NHTSA to act, it seems like a non-story. It's just an idea with no clear path forward.

 

[Pew]

You totally missed a couple of my points.
First, I didn't say anything about a bluetooth signal, I said a cell phone signal. A very low sensitivity receiver could be installed inside the driver's seat to detect a cell phone signal within a couple of feet. Second, it would prevent the vehicle from starting, not running, not a safety issue in any way. Regardless, I know that this would never happen so it is just wishful thinking on my part.
I just hate when people text or talk on the phone while driving. I know when I am following someone who is doing this, they drive like they are drunk or high, totally oblivious to everyone else around them, and they cause accidents just as if they were drunk or high.

What happens if somebody is on the phone with 911 or their parents while trying to get away from an attempted car jacking or rage? Locking the doors won't help if they can just break the windows knowing you're stuck there because your car won't start.

 

[chrlsful]

What the justice system needs to do is make even one DUI offense very painful, and subsequent ones really painful and take driving privilege away for a very long time (like 5 years per offense). The only way you make people stop doing bad things is to crack heads really hard. That would probably work better than putting a BOC reader in every new vehicle.

some states current: 3rd DWI (ETHO or drug) w/in 10 yrs = life time (others 10 yrs) loss of driving privilege.
They offer a license (driving or pro practice) so they can take it away if needed (a dentist accosting a female patient while out due to anesthesia).
There are things we can do now that have impact. Let's enact more where needed.

 

[jeepman3071]

some states current: 3rd DWI (ETHO or drug) w/in 10 yrs = life time (others 10 yrs) loss of driving privilege.
They offer a license (driving or pro practice) so they can take it away if needed (a dentist accosting a female patient while out due to anesthesia).
There are things we can do now that have impact. Let's enact more where needed.

Keyword "some" states.

A smarter thing would be to make harsher punishments for DUI, and have them apply to all states. Last I checked drunk driving is illegal. We should work on just enforcing the laws we have.

 

[Creekside]

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?

You are showing intent to operate by being in the seat with the vehicle on.

Coworker got hammered at a bar one night and chose to sleep it off in the parking lot. It was cold so he was running his car. Cops showed up while he was sleeping and long story short he got a DWI even though the vehicle never moved. I guess in MO you are operating if you’re in the drivers seat with the keys in the ignition.

 

[RedSpider]

Same thing happened to a guy I used to be friends with back in the college days. Nice guy but was hopelessly addicted to alcohol. Was leaving a bar, hopped in his car, put the keys in, turned on the radio, hopped in the back seat and tried to sleep it off instead of driving home. Woke up a few hours later with cops tapping on the window. Got him out, cuffed him, and gave him a DUI, even though he was in the back seat, engine off, and not driving... because the keys were still in the ignition, and therefore because of that he was "in control of the car". Judge even told him in court, if the keys werent in the ignition, he would have thrown out the DUI. Painful lesson.