Federal agency makes progress on impaired driving tech mandate

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is taking steps toward regulating advanced impaired driving prevention technology. Deputy Transportation Secretary Polly Trottenberg announced a call for public comments before proposing rules on this technology. The NHTSA aims to collect information for performance requirements and potential mandates for new vehicles to include impaired driving prevention tech. This follows a 2021 mandate for new passenger vehicles to have systems measuring driver blood alcohol content. The agency seeks collaboration with advocates, academics, and innovators to accelerate the development of effective impaired driving prevention technology.

Despite advancements in vehicle tech and research on driver state and performance measurement, challenges like distinguishing between impaired states and preventing false positives persist. The NHTSA recognizes these challenges and the need to harness existing technologies for detecting and preventing impaired driving. The agency is committed to utilizing technology to reduce drunk driving crashes significantly.

Following the congressional mandate, the NHTSA researches prepares cost estimates, and seeks public feedback before finalizing regulations. The notice invites comments online within 90 days of its publication in the Federal Register under Docket No. NHTSA-2022-0079. The NHTSA’s proactive approach aligns to leverage technology as the ultimate solution for preventing impaired driving collisions and enhancing road safety.

Read more: https://lnkd.in/et4rM_wK

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