New Law to Require Anti-Drunk Driving Technology for Cars
As part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act recently passed by Congress, carmakers will have to include technology to detect and stop drunk drivers by as early as 2026. The new legislation is expected to be signed into law by the President soon.
Pursuant to the the legislation, monitoring systems to stop intoxicated drivers would roll out in all new vehicles as early as 2026, after the Transportation Department assesses the best form of technology to install in vehicles and carmakers are given adequate time to comply. More specifically, the bill requires car technology that will “passively monitor the performance of a driver of a motor vehicle to accurately identify whether that driver may be impaired.”
The new requirement could save thousands of lives. More than 9,000 people are killed each year in the United States in drunk driving accidents, as documented in a 2020 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The bill also includes other safety measures, such as rear seat reminders that could notify parents about children left in car seats. Congress will also require automatic emergency braking and lane departure warnings, which are optional features that many new cars already offer. The bill allocated $17 billion to road safety programs, which could mean more protected bike paths and greener spaces built into busy roadways.
11/15/21 Update: The bill was signed into law by the President.
If you or a loved one was seriously injured by a drunk driver in a car accident, it is important to consult with a personal injury attorney early to investigate your options, and preserve crucial evidence. For assistance with these matters, please contact us to learn more.
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About the author: Peter J. Gregory is a partner with the firm. He is a trial lawyer with extensive experience resolving disputes in state and federal trial courts. His personal injury practice focuses on advising clients who have been injured or lost loved ones in accidents caused by the carelessness or recklessness of others. Please feel free to contact him directly at pgregory@mccmlaw.com or (585) 512-3506.
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