NEW TECHNOLOGY TO PREVENT DRUNK DRIVING

By Isabelle Havasy

At CES (Consumer Electronics Show), Canadian subcontracting giant Magna International presented a new technology. This “pre-development” system detects driver drowsiness and distraction using on-board cameras and sensors that monitor the driver’s pupils. In addition, it can measure alcohol and carbon dioxide levels as the driver exhales, and assess whether the blood alcohol level is at or above the legal limit.

The NHTSA is due to present a rule by November that could force automakers to equip their new vehicles with an alcohol sensor that would prevent the driver from getting behind the wheel.