Nissan considering anti-drunk driving technology

Although third-party options have long been available to interfere with the poor decision to start a car while inebriated, a recent string of alcohol-related accidents in Japan has led Nissan to begin mulling over a factory installed system that prevents intoxicated individuals from cranking up their own ride. The technology would utilize "breathalyzer-like devices" to detect the blood alcohol content when you got behind the wheel, and if it finds that you're over the legal limit, the hopes of turning that engine over are squashed. Potential "solutions" included a straw-like device which you'd have to puff on before ignition could ensue (sanitation concerns could become an issue here if you share your car with someone), or an automated system that would require drivers to enter a series of numbers (presumably difficult if you're not sober) before being granted access to cruise. While we don't know when these anti-drunk driving vehicles will start popping up at dealerships, we highly doubt folks that are careless enough to toss a few back before getting behind the wheel would have the presence of mind to pay extra for something like this when they buy their car -- besides, we'll all be using autopilot before too long, right?

[Lou @ Sep 15th 2006 2:42PM]

How will I ever get home now?

[JZ @ Sep 15th 2006 2:47PM]

Maybe they should have you solve a Sudoku puzzle before it will start?

[WhyNot @ Sep 15th 2006 2:53PM]

I'm not a drinker, let alone someone who would drink and drive, but I can't remember my phone number half the time let alone a random code that has no sgnificance to me what-so-ever. I think the technology is a good idea, but it has to be thought out more. How often would the software for a breathalizer need to be updated? What about the other upkeep? When you sell the car will Nissan make parts available so you don't get 5 years of spit along with your new used car? What prevents a drunk from getting someonelse to blow into the straw? What about the horrible pick up lines (Hey baby, wanna blow into my straw?)

[Wonderboy @ Sep 15th 2006 2:55PM]

Not gonna sell too well. People like me who don't drink won't want to waste their time each start-up, people who aren't like me and do drink won't want to waste their time each start-up.

Unless this was a government mandate, people would just go with a different car. (Unless it's a parent buying a car for their kid to use).

[NNTPgrip @ Sep 15th 2006 3:06PM]

There needs to be an incentive to buy. Like a ID PKI certificate sent via RFID to the cops running those checkpoints to let you go right through no questions asked. Otherwise, I'm not going to welcome more big brother.

Especially when its no longer about anyone's safety, or protecting and serving, but revenue, pure revenue. The .08 value does not take into account weight or a person's actual driving ability sober (because there is no real test in the US anymore). You're more likely to be run over by some idiot gabbing on the phone that never learned how to drive in the first place.

[Razster @ Sep 15th 2006 3:07PM]

More than likely they'll use a device that will be located on their Keychain to enable to key to work. You puff into the the device and if you're sober enough - the electronic will enable and you can turn your key and have the engine turn.

Pretty simple if they do. Because there are devices that small.

[kingsley @ Sep 15th 2006 3:10PM]

this should be the stadard in cars

[kingsley @ Sep 15th 2006 3:11PM]

this should be the standard in cars

[Tim @ Sep 15th 2006 3:30PM]

I'm sorry, but the memorized number test won't work. Being drunk seems to increase "drunk dialing", which proves it doesn't prevent you from entering memorized numbers.

[David @ Sep 15th 2006 3:37PM]

The breathalyzer thing is dumb. People could just keep a balloon blown up when they're sober and put it on the mouthpiece to falsify the results. Just put some kind of reaction speed test on it (Press the brake as soon as a light turns red on the dashboard) and if they fail, they're too drunk, or are so slow they shouldn't be driving in the first place.

[Raider @ Sep 15th 2006 3:57PM]

Nissan is just trying to spur sales since they are starting to slump. All it is... is probably marketing hype to say that Nissan is "safe". More than likely this won't get anywhere. Even if it does... watch it will be marketed to parents. Plus I'm sure this would be an add-on requested feature. Not a standard.

In any case.. there are many reasons why Toyota is #1 in Japan.... this is just one of them.

[David @ Sep 15th 2006 4:02PM]

There was a device similar to that one in the movie "40 year old virgin"

[NeoteriX @ Sep 15th 2006 4:11PM]

FYI, for those mentioning the lack of incentive--I'm willing to be insurance companies would be happy to provide lower rates and what not, if you were guaranteeing to them you wouldn't be driving drunk.

[EnderAl @ Sep 15th 2006 4:15PM]

This is going to ruin the pacing in a lot of horror/action/thriller movies. Can you imagine the heroine frantically running to her car, fumbling with the keys, jumping into the car, and then frantically doing math puzzles so she can start the car?

Actually, strike that. That would actually be really nerve-racking stuff.

[S.A. @ Sep 15th 2006 4:44PM]

I think some sort of solution is definitely needed. There are way too many people out their driving drunk.

[Mike @ Sep 15th 2006 6:03PM]

The technology does exist and some courts in the US require it for repeat offenders.

http://www.ignition-interlock.com/

[tmaiden @ Sep 15th 2006 10:11PM]

Hey lets go to my car and see who is more trash! lol!

[ymmit @ Sep 16th 2006 5:03PM]

So... in order to start the car the computer will make you enter 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, and 42... wonder if the sat nav will be any good...

[Kyle @ Sep 18th 2006 2:03AM]

What if it were an emergency or you were being attacked and had to leave quickly... You can't blow on it and wait for it to register

[chrispen @ Sep 20th 2006 9:58PM]

I'm just wanting to know how they will keep track of the different laws that each state has. This is because some states have different values for the legal BAC and that value is always subject to change upon new laws being passed. I doubt it would ever be effectively integrated.