Drunk driving crashes claim the lives of some 30 people every day in Louisiana and across the U.S. Lawmakers, looking to technology to curb this trend, have introduced a bill in Congress that would, if passed, lead to the development of an alcohol detection system. This system would then be installed on all new vehicles by 2024.
The bill is known as the Reduce Impaired Driving for Everyone Act of 2019. Under the RIDE Act, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would collaborate with various automakers to develop a system similar to the ignition interlock device. The bill would provide funding for research and development and establish a pilot program so that the new tech is tested. Whether developers will work off of existing tech or not is unclear.
The aforementioned ignition interlock device has already proven to be a success. It’s nothing more than a breathalyzer linked to the car’s ignition, and it only starts the car up if drivers pass the breath test. While the car is moving, the IID requests additional breath tests so as to prevent any tricks like a passenger blowing into it. Since 2006, it has averted more than three million attempts by drivers to start a car while drunk.
Even if the bill is passed, it will be a long time before the benefits are seen. Drunk drivers will continue to cause car crashes, but victims can assert their right to compensation after these tragic incidents. Under personal injury law, they might be reimbursed for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and more. They may even sue for punitive damages. Whatever the situation, victims might benefit from consulting a lawyer. This may help them in building up their case. The lawyer might also negotiate for a settlement.