Toyota Creating Anti-Drunk Driving Device

[bikeracer4487]

[citation][nom]amnotanoobie[/nom]If they could skip the hand-held breathalyzer and make it check the air around instead, I could see this working. Damn them if I need to get my breathalyzer every time if I need to get to work or buy something at the grocery.[/citation]

I agree. The idea itself is a good one, I think there SHOULD be a way to stop drunk people from driving, but this would be a HUGE hassle for everyone else.

 

[dark_lord69]

I like this idea...

 

[Guest]

This technology has been on the market from a number of vendors, including Volvo, for several years.

It isn't foolproof, and it isn't new.

 

[Hope Slayer]

While I'm for stopping drunk driving (I work in LE) the big problem with this type of equipment (breathalyzers) is that they are susceptable to many "False Positive" readings. Brush your teeth or use a mouth wash that contains alcohol and you'll see what I mean. And yes, I know what I'm talking about. Only true way you can get an accurate BAL count is by taking a blood sample.

I once did a field breathalyzer test on a friend of mine at a cookout after he drank 1 beer. 20 minutes later he registered a .02 (legal limit is .08 or .10 depending on what state you live in). I then had him use some Scope mouthwash, waited 20 minutes and he registered a .23, more then twice the legal limit yet if he had a BAL count done using a blood sample things would have been totally different. So if you ever get pulled over for DUI and you know that you are absolutely not "intoxicated" or buzz driving demand a blood test if your state permits it.

 

[LLJones]

It's not bad enough that big brother is trying to watch/hear/control everything we do, now the companies are trying to be our moral compass as well.

Evil is at it's most powerful when disguised as good.

 

[fuser]

[citation][nom]TrentJ[/nom]This technology has been on the market from a number of vendors, including Volvo, for several years.It isn't foolproof, and it isn't new.[/citation]
True. In fact many states require you to install one of these devices in your car if you are a repeat offender. The digital camera and facial recognition features might be new. It will be interesting to see how well integrated these are in the devices. If they're rolling these out to corporate fleets, those fleets could have a digital image for each authorized driver. Not only would it be able to tie a driver to a BAC result, but it might even be able to lock out unauthorized drivers for specific vehicles.

 

[jadedgamerx]

[citation][nom]ssalim[/nom]I'm more worried about being hit by a teen driving while texting.Can they make a thing that emits EMP every x seconds while also shielding the car? heh.[/citation]

Totally agree.

 

[tenor77]

As someone who has gotten a DWI I can tell you with certainty that the choice to drive drunk is when you walked into the bar without a plan to get home, not when you walked out.

This is good for repeat offenders. Some of us get the point the first time.

 

[ukgooey]

[citation][nom]Greg_77[/nom]Little jealous of BMW owners, eh?[/citation]
Hell no! I have driven thousands of miles throughout Europe and one thing stands out regardless of whichever country you are in - BMW drivers (for the most part) drive like arrogant cocks. I have pointed this out to people before who have then noticed exactly what I'm talking about. Same thing applies to Audis too to an extent. Not Ferraris or Lambos etc. etc. (and I have a great car so it's not that), just Beemers. I find that they don't tend to bother indicating while changing lanes as much as drivers of other manufacturers. They seem more likely to tailgate. More likely to cruise for miles in the middle lane. More likely to be on the phone too.

Maybe this doesn't apply where you come from.

Like JC says, "the BMW. A great car - driven by cocks".

(If you own an M5, M3 a 645 or similar this isn't aimed at you. You have impeccable taste in cars and are a living legend. However, if you have an X5 you have, without a shadow of a doubt, a claim to driving like the biggest tool on Earth and deserve to be hung by your testicles until dead, dead, dead).

 

[Clintonio]

Good idea. I'm of the opinion that cars are too unrestricted and unregulated, and it explains why they're so dangerous. Almost any regular guy can get in a several tonne metal tin and drive it around at 40mph+.
Of course there are ways to circumvent it, but, if someone is that drunk, they won't be capable of it. And, well, the measures to circumvent it will probably require a sober person present, who probably won't want to be driven around by a drunk person.

I say anything to cut the amount of horrific road accidents down; the better.

 

[blackened144]

[citation][nom]laweinhander[/nom]Why does everyone always say they are worried about teenagers texting and driving? ... Are 40 year olds better at texting and driving then teenagers, or am i missing something?[/citation]
Yes, there is something youre missing. The fact that 40year olds are much less likely to be texting while driving.