Nissan testing on-board breathalyzers

Posted Tue Jul 24 2007 7:32 PM by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

The notion of carmakers installing on-board breathalyzers connected with an interlock system to prevent you from starting your car if your blood-alcohol levels are above the illegal limit is not as far fetched as it seems. Nissan is currently testing such a system in a partnership with the Japanese government, which could lead to the eventual roll out of the safety device in its production cars.

Toyota previously showcased its own system that used steering-wheel mounted sensors that could detect alcohol in the blood through the driver’s sweat from their palms. Toyota’s version could even be activated once the car is in motion if it detected that the driver’s steering patterns were becoming unsteady.

We're sure many motorists would find it annoying having to use a breathalyzer everytime they start the car. Also, there are several major hurdles preventing the introduction of such devices. Firstly, current breathalyzer technology can be inaccurate at times, and, secondly, drivers could simply get another sober person to start the car or in the case of the Toyota system, wear gloves.

Reader Comments

Wed Jul 25 2007 6:10 AM
HECTOR says

And exactly who appointed Nissan and Toyota as road nannies? This is the kind of thing that pisses the living shit out of me. So my car that I am paying for is going to have the final word on whether I can drive it or not? Who the hell comes up with these stupid ideas anyway?
Wed Jul 25 2007 10:06 AM
Gus says

I'd agree with that.
But, it seems that so many people still drink and drive that someone thought they needed to address the issue.
However, I would say that it should do something along the lines of the falling asleep system where it warns you, rather than just denies use of the car.
I don't know. What is the solution to drunk drivers?
Wed Jul 25 2007 6:39 PM
HECTOR says

There's already a solution to DUI driver Gus: DUI laws that punish you when you're caught. But treating every driver as a potential DUI is the same as treating every person who walks into a store as a potential shoplifter.

I wouldn't walk into a store that treated me like that. I won't buy a car with a built in breathalyzer. This will never happen anyway but if it does I'm sticking to my old MX6.
Wed Jul 25 2007 7:04 PM
Jezza says

Perhaps we need to introduce these things for that stupid cow Lindsay Lohan so stories about her won\'t clog up the nightly news.
Wed Jul 25 2007 7:24 PM
Gus says

I know, I know, I don't believe in the "guilty until proven innocent" thing either, but there has to be a solution for all those drunk drivers out there, some of whom cause an accident long before the law catches up with them.
I wouldn't mind something like a sensor in cars that could tell if the driver were drunk in a surefire way, since I never drink and drive. But the first time it failed on me I would be pissed...
Tue Mar 4 2008 3:38 PM
Mike says

Hector,
I must say, that you are one ignorant person with a very selfish personality and closed mind.
Would you rather get caught driving drunk or getting into an accident while you drive drunk, or just simply not have ur car start because ur alcohol level is above the limit. It takes seconds for the test to be done before your car starts. its a potential LIFE SAVER and MONEY SAVER...for both you and the state. You don't have to pay fines and possibly go to jail, and the state doesnt have to worry about ur case. tHEREfore it is beneficial for both sides.
Also, your argument about everyone being treated as a potential DUI is ridicilous. Its just a precaution. When you drinking you are not able to make smart decisions, and this tool would help you avoid all the stupid decisions.
P.S hector, before you reply to this, do me a favor and check the death %'s caused by drinking and driving.
Good Day

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