Thoughts on 2026+ Models containing “anti drunk driving” technology?

That would probably depend on where the potential DD is and how many resources are available when the alert is given. Would the authorities monitor those signals 24hrs a day. Will the monitor be done at peak DD hours, when DD enforcment and sobriety check are deployed.

Will this technology be used to monitor all DUIs, or just driving under the influence of alcohol?

What happens when the suspected DD vehicle is parked once authorities go to investigate? There's no one actively driving the vehicle.

 

I think you guys are really overthinking this. It’s just going to be like the interlock probably. If you have been drinking the car won’t start and honestly if you don’t drive when drinking why do you give a shit?

 

I've heard that it will be like the interlock..and that it won't be. Lot of unknowns right now absolutely.

My concerns in particular:

What will the system cost to monitor/update/etc (if anything, but I suspect it will)?

If it's an ambient system (as has been surmised), what if I'm driving sober and someone else in the vehicle has been consuming?

Will the system report a positive test (as the current interlock does) to the authorities?

That's all I can think of presently at least.

 

Perhaps some of us think you aren't really thinking it through. It's another system to pay for (initially) and maintain. You think the sensor(s), computer(s) and network connectivity are never going to fail or give false readings?

 

So let me make sure I understand this. You believe that they are going to have a system in place that will detect the presence of alcohol in the system of a passenger in your car and then report it to a database that will then force your car to shut down and pull over in the middle of the freeway where you will have to wait (in danger of being hit by a truck of course) for the police to show up and clear up this terrible miss understanding so you can then be in your way?

 

Of course they are going to fail and give false readings but what does it matter? There doing it weather you like it or not so if you buy a 2026 or newer it’s just going to be part of your life.

 

As long as people are thinking, I welcome all conversation. Both sides of nearly every conversation always sound dumb when you take it to the extreme. I don't think anyone is questioning getting more drunk drivers off the road. Many of us just think the solution is dumb (really just an idea at this point, so even more dumb that something that doesn't exist is mandated). Why is it dumb? Most have stated their opinions, and its okay if we disagree with them. Seems its all rooted in "feeling like its an overstep/taking away freedoms." If you counter that with "no one should have the freedom to drive drunk; its against the law," we'd agree. However, if something like this is implemented, all the things that come with it are the real issue. What happens if you disconnect the system? What happens when you maintenance your own vehicles and it becomes illegal to disconnect your battery/cut power to this system? How often does it have to be calibrated? Who pays for that? Who pays when it malfunctions and you can't get to work/school/funeral/etc? How many honest citizens become criminals for working on their own vehicle or adding ANY kind of mod? If you're not following, think of a dealer voiding a warranty on an electrical component because you added LED lights or any kind of aftermarket wiring into your vehicle. Why would the same not apply to a device like this, and what criminal charges would one be subjected to for "tampering" with it? People like myself who "shouldn't even be inconvenienced" because we don't drink aren't worried about passing or failing the test every startup; some people just enjoy freedom being freedom.

 

Sadly it's an overall lack of societal responsibility that's gotten up to this point. We should have better driver training, better morals that instill in people an understanding that their right to be reckless ends at the point where they endanger others, etc. But we don't because we're a society of "I, Me, Whaaaaa; who cares about anyone else?" We ding each other doors in parking lots, we park in handicapped spaces, we drive like jerks, etc. So sadly, yeah, maybe there's justification to take some steps to stop the drunks before they kill another mother, kid, or father. I hate the fact that there's a legitimate argument for stuff like DUI interlocks, but here we are. I also hate taking my shoes off at the airport before I board a plane and seeing my nephew do duck and cover drills in 4th grade.

 

So many unknowns right now agreed.

No, I didn't say I believed anything. Please reread that comment where my first thought was "I've heard that it will be like the interlock..and that it won't be. Lot of unknowns right now absolutely."

To go with the comment you made in order..

IF the system is an ambient (which could pick up another person's content in the vehicle) that could be a huge problem.

Reporting it and disabling the vehicle..I didn't mention the disabling in particular in the comment. I do know the current system used for people with convictions in MA will not allow the vehicle to start and will allow the vehicle to continue to be driven (at least for a while) but when turned off it cannot be turned back on without bringing to a station that handles them and then there's the "well what happened?" (which I'm not up on that piece, except that to my knowledge a police officer doesn't have the ability to clear the machine). Reporting the action is one thing we also don't know with the proposal either..as I mentioned, another unknown.

I myself would rather not be sitting on the highway anywhere for any reason, but that's another story

 

I'd add to that more severe penalties (and I don't mean fines) along the process for the offenses.

I do agree with your comment about "me first" and relate to your door ding example, having actually witnessed it happen to my wife's SUV 6 feet away and the other person lied right to my face about it when I approached him and then gave me an attitude, to the point I told him I'll just call the police and I already have his plate# in case he wants to run off. Pretty disgusting.

 

I definitely agree, I don't think anyone thinks stopping impaired driving isn't wise on many levels.

It's as you said, all the things that come with it (and most/all are unknowns at this point, as I've mentioned).

I can tell you that if it's like the one in use for those who have offended, you can't unhook the battery for any reason. I know someone who has one and their vehicle's battery died (as in needed to be replaced) so they got it towed to the shop and replaced at the same place they have to have the system monitored, which would explain why it was unhooked and has the receipt etc as proof. Calibration/download is monthly at a station.

 

Yes, I've had that happen, too. But what are you going to do, get into an altercation over it? Some people just plain suck.

It's too bad the social stigma for driving drunk isn't as severe and ingrained as "wrong" as things like "you never hit a woman" or the hate/distain put on people that abuse animals.

 

Exactly. I wasn't about to do that especially with what was happening in the world in fall of 2020, risking my life in that regard plus there was him and his buddy versus one of me..among other reasons. I'm sure he wasn't laughing when he had to explain it all to his mommy plus watch his insurance dish out to repair and repaint part of my vehicle.

Yeah big time. Though I think society as a whole, including law enforcement, bears a hand in that. Long ago I've heard so many times people pulled over for it were told either to park and call a cab or the officer would follow them home or something similar. It wasn't taken more seriously across the board until the days of MADD and such.