drunkdriving
Latest
Ohio drunk drivers ordered to install Uber or Lyft
Drunk drivers may have a new consequence for getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. They'll still face stiff penalties like fines, mandatory driver's prevention programs and possible jail time, of course. However, according to The News-Herald, Ohio Municipal Court Judge Michael A. Cicconetti has been ordering those convicted of Operating a Vehicle Impaired (OVI) to download ride-sharing apps like Uber or Lyft as part of his sentencing. They must also enter their credit cards into the app as a condition of probation.
Johnnie Walker's drunk-driving VR experience lacks subtlety
You've probably considered the importance of avoiding drinking and driving, but I'm guessing you've never experienced the consequences of it in VR. Johnnie Walker teamed up with Samsung to create Decisions, a virtual reality video that lets you see, first-hand and in 360 degrees, what happens when you drink and drive. The idea is to make the consequences so real that you'll be deterred from driving while intoxicated. I tried out the full experience this week (complete with a vibrating "4D" chair), and left feeling less chastened than I thought I would.
One South Jersey town calls a free Uber if you're too drunk to drive
A southern New Jersey town of 45,000 is testing out a new kind of ride-hailing program, this one targeted at people who've had a bit too much to drink. Uber has partnered with New Jersey's Evesham Township to provide free rides to people who are too inebriated to drive themselves home, Reuters reports. The service is available to patrons in at least 19 bars and restaurants in the area. Another free-ride service, BeMyDD, also went live in Evesham on Friday, and both programs are funded via donations from local nonprofits and businesses.
Anti-drunk driving technology won't start the car if you're smashed
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's anti-drunk driving technology won't let you get away with driving sloshed -- it won't even let you start the car. At a recent event, the agency has revealed the prototype of two candidates for the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) tech that it's been developing since 2008. One is an unobtrusive breathalyzer mounted either on the steering wheel or the driver-side door that can "smell" your breath even if you don't lean in closely. The other is a touch sensor embedded in an ignition button or a gear shift that scans your finger for your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). Both car add-ons are capable of detecting whether your BAC is beyond the legal limit of 0.08, and both of them are designed to keep you from taking the car anywhere if that's the case.
Uber's breathalyzer kiosk gets you a ride home if you're drunk
Uber sees its ridesharing service as an ideal way to get you home safely when you're drunk, and it's trying out some relatively unique technology to prove its point. The company recently set up an Uber Safe kiosk in Toronto that gave sloshed Canadians a free ride if they blew into a breathalyzer -- much safer than stumbling on foot or struggling to hail a cab, if you ask us. The Toronto device was largely a promotional stunt, but Uber tells us that it's "thrilled" with the early response and to "stay tuned" for the possibility of more kiosks going forward. We can't imagine that Uber would continue to offer the Safe service free of charge if it catches on, but it's easy to see systems like this popping up in bar-heavy neighborhoods.
Uber teams with a breathalyzer company to tackle drunk driving
Many will tell you to take a cab home if you're too drunk to drive, but that can be expensive -- wouldn't it be more effective to hail a ridesharing car instead? Uber and Breathometer, a mobile breathalyzer company, think so -- they're teaming up to promote Uber as a safe option for getting home when you're sloshed. To start, Breathometer's app will give you a free Uber ride (up to $20) if it's your first time. If you're an experienced Uber passenger, you can still get a free lift if you're one of the first 100 people to order a ride through Breathometer's software. And if you don't get a gratis trip, you'll still get a 10 percent discount on a Breathometer device if you buy it before March 7th. This isn't the largest offer, but it could make a difference if you'd otherwise be tempted to take the wheel after a boozy party. [Image credit: Getty Images]
One day, your voice could keep you from driving drunk
Smart breathalyzers have long tried to help people deal with the serious issue of drunk-driving. But, ultimately, those options won't physically prevent anyone from getting behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol -- much like the Ignition Interlock Device provided by some states in the US do. To aid with this deliberate problem, researchers from Germany have came up with the Alcohol Language Corpus, a database made up of drunk speech patterns, the first of its kind.
NFL Players Association contracts with Uber to curb drunk driving
In a commendable move, the NFL Players Association is contracting with Uber for the 2013-2014 season in an attempt to keep intoxicated athletes from getting behind the wheel. Each player will receive a personalized keychain card that contains $200 credit for the on-demand ridesharing service, which will complement an existing telephone-based service that's offered by the union. Uber currently operates in 17 of the NFL's 31 cities, which isn't ideal, but the service is expanding at a respectable pace. The agreement stands as Uber's biggest deal with major league sports to date, which previously provided a trial service to the San Francisco Giants. Naturally, we'd like to see other players' organizations and teams get on board with similar programs, which could help prevent tragedies such as the one that took the life of a Dallas Cowboys player last year.
Nevada is getting serious about driverless cars
We were admittedly cynical last summer, when Nevada's state legislature passed a law regulating the safety of driverless cars. But maybe we shouldn't have been, because it looks like they're actually serious about it. The state has now begun fleshing out its campaign with new regulations for testing these robocars, which, of course, are still very much in their infancy. According to the Associated Press, drivers looking to test a driverless vehicle will have to first purchase a bond worth between $1 million and $3 million, depending on the specifics of their project. The data from each test, moreover, will have to be shared with state officials, and all automated vehicles must have some sort of black box-like device to securely store this information, in the event of a crash. Most interesting, however, is how humans fit into all of this. Under the state's regulations, a passenger is still considered an "operator" of the vehicle, even if he or she isn't driving. They'll be exempt from Nevada's ban on driving while texting, but they won't be able to rely on their robocar as a designated driver -- which is fine, because it's not like anyone drinks in Vegas anyway.
Apple to drop DUI checkpoint apps like a bad habit
In a move that's bound to get at least a few MADD moms smiling, Apple's officially decided to block apps that encourage drunk driving. Section 22.8 of the newly revised App Store Review Guidelines reads: Apps which contain DUI checkpoints that are not published by law enforcement agencies, or encourage and enable drunk driving, will be rejected. That revision comes on the heels of a request from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, asking that Google, Apple, and RIM yank offending apps from their respective mobile outlets. At the time, Google declined while RIM was quick to jump on the bandwagon, leaving Apple to stew. For now, it looks like the rest of us still have to keep our eyes out for Android users with a propensity for boozing and skirting the fuzz.
Senators urge Apple to pull DUI checkpoint apps
A group of senators from four different states sent a message to Apple yesterday to pull any apps from the App Store that supposedly alert drivers of drunk driving checkpoints. The letter, which was also sent to Google and RIM, stated that "giving drunk drivers a free tool to evade checkpoints, putting innocent families and children at risk, is a matter of public concern," and mentioned just one such app, called PhantomALERT. The CEO of the company that makes that app claims it's completely legal, saying that police often advertise the same checkpoint locations before they're set up, warning drivers to be careful in certain areas and never to drink and drive. A police officer in Oregon, according to ComputerWorld, is pretty indifferent to the whole argument. "If things like these apps increase awareness on the part of drivers to slow down and drive to the signs posted and the conditions," he said, "that helps people stay alert and drive safely." So, it seems like much ado over something that's not a huge issue. Of course, if people are using these apps to dodge checkpoints, that could be a problem, but if police are advertising these things ahead of time anyway, it's hard to see why these apps are under fire.
Toyota develops breathalyzer ignition-interlock, BJ McKay promises to hack it
Shoving breathalyzers into MIDs and PNDs has been all the rage overseas for quite a while, and now it looks like Toyota itself is getting in on the act. The breath-alcohol ignition-interlock system features a handset that detects alcohol on your breath (if any) and snaps your mug with a digital camera. Depending on your level of "fun" (that is, alcohol consumption) the thing can be set to alert you (in case you forgot about those three Iron Citys) or lock the vehicle's ignition altogether. In addition, it can be used to monitor vehicles of commercial fleets and notify the boss if the driver shows up sloshed. Testing of the device commences September 1st, and will go through November 30. Historians agree that had this technology been available thirty years ago, the 1970s CB radio craze could have been avoided altogether. [Via Yahoo!]
In-car fingerprint scanner keeps drunks, thieves from starting your car
How's this for dual purpose? Zhao Wencai and Li Zhoumu, two graduate students at the China University of Geosciences, have concocted a prototype device which checks for two important bits of information before allowing a car to start. First, it scans your fingerprint to make sure you're on the authorized driver database; second, it takes a long, hard look (okay, so maybe 20 seconds isn't all that long) at the sweat on your digit to determine just how sober or inebriated you are. There's no telling when this will hit motorcars en masse, but we'd say the whole thing needs to get a whole lot smaller before it's a viable option.[Via Wired]
Ford Flex fridge + Ohio = license to DUI
The biggest problem with the mid-Western drive-thru isn't the fact that you can readily purchase alcohol from the dank comforts of your old hoopdie, it's the dilemma presented in keeping that beer-flavored soda chilled for duration. Enter the $760 fridge on Ford's new Flex guzzler. The add-on drops up to seven, 12-oz cans of room-temp suds down to 41-degrees F in 2.5 hours. It'll also keep things a frosty 23-degrees in freezer mode. Add anti-drunk-proofing option and watch the car implode.[Buddy's Beer Barn photo courtesy of mpaulda]
NDrive's G400 PND knows when you're one sip over the line
Who do you trust more to tell you when you've had too much to drink -- your family, friends, or lovers, or a cold, emotionless piece of technology? We all know the answer -- you want the NDrive G400. We're not sure if this will actually keep idiots from driving drunk, though it will at least give a realistic impression of just how much you've knocked back -- which might be enough of a deterrent for some people. Other then the built-in breathalyzer, we assume this GPS nav does all the usual things PNDs do, but let's be honest, no one is buying it for the turn-by-turn directions. You can pick one of these puppies up for €200, and you can see the breathalyzin' in action in the video after the break.[Via Navigadget]
Nissan unveils concept car with anti-drunk driving technology
Just as expected, Nissan has indeed rolled out a concept vehicle that showcases its long-awaited anti-drunk driving technology. The vehicle sports "multiple preventative features" designed to curb inebriated operation of vehicles, and essentially detects the driver's state of sobriety and kicks into action if you've had a bit much. Amongst the detection agents are alcohol odor sensors built into the locking shift knob, seat-mounted sensors that can activate a voice and navigation screen warning, and a facial monitoring system that determines your "state of consciousness through your eyes." Regrettably, there's still no word as to when this system could actually hit showroom floors, but if the automaker has shelled out enough dough to craft a concept vehicle, we'd imagine it's not too far out.[Via TheAutoChannel]
Nissan begins testing drunk-proof car
On August 1st, Nissan Japan will begin joint testing with authorities on a new system which prevents drivers from starting their cars if they've been drinking. The technology, which we mentioned back in 2006, can disable the vehicle's ignition after analyzing a driver's level of intoxication using an onboard breathalyzer. The tests will take place with cars used by local government staff in a variety of Prefectures around Japan, utilizing the opinions of the drivers to further develop the system. The company recently added a "Carwings" navigation system to its vehicles, which issues warnings to drivers under the influence, and the automaker hopes that technologies such as these could halve the number of serious accidents involving Nissan vehicles by 2015. [Warning: subscription required]
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?
Cellphone talkers as bad as drunk drivers?
We've heard the word that hands-free setups don't make cellphone driving any safer, but this new study comparing phone use to driving under the influence seems like it's taking things a bit far. Apparently some new research, using a driving simulation device as to not expose any real drivers to the dangers of those who talk, is showing cellphone users to be as bad or worse than the average drunk driver. Forty volunteers used the simulator, taking turns trying it undistracted, with a handheld phone, with a handsfree device and while blowing a 0.08 blood-alcohol level -- the average level of impairment in the US. Three participants ended up rear-ending the car in front of them, and all three were talking on the phone, not drunk. The study noticed little difference between hands-free and handheld phone talkers, and found they were 9 percent slower to hit the breaks, and varied their speed more than normal drivers. Drunk drivers would drive slower, yet more aggressively, and all three groups were under the impression that they weren't impaired. We'd still rather have a talker behind the wheel than a drunk, especially when the blood-alcohol level shoots past 0.08 -- as it tends to do -- but we're guessing legislators will see otherwise and jump at the chance to clamp down on conversationalists.
