WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 — The threat of arrest and punishment, for decades the primary tactic against drunken drivers, is no longer working in the struggle to reduce the death toll, officials say, and they are proposing turning to technology — alcohol detection devices in every vehicle— to address the problem. We’ve seen no progress in 10 years; we’re completely stalled,” said Susan A. Ferguson, a researcher at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Ms. Ferguson said the most promising technologies would work automatically, like air bags. “We don’t want the soccer mom dropping kids off, going to the grocery store and the preschool, and having to blow into something every time,” she said.Chuck Hurley, the chief executive of MADD, said that automatic sensors might be used first in fleets, and that eventually insurance companies might give discounts on coverage to drivers who had them. Two companies have introduced products that hint at future strategies. Saab, which is owned by General Motors, is testing in Sweden a Breathalyzer that attaches to a key chain and will prevent a car from starting if it senses too much alcohol. Taxi companies and other fleet owners are the target market, the company said. A New Mexico company, TruTouch Technologies, is modifying a technique developed for measuring blood chemistry in diabetics and using it to measure alcohol instead. The appliance shines a light through the skin on the forearm and analyzes what bounces back. Future devices may read alcohol content when a driver’s palm touches the steering wheel or the gear shift lever, said Jim McNally, the chief executive of TruTouch. A national campaign against drunken driving began a quarter-century ago with President Ronald Reagan, and the death toll was cut by about 40 percent through a change in public attitudes and an increase in the legal drinking age. But over the past decade, the number of deaths has not changed.

A national campaign against drunken driving began a quarter-century ago with President Ronald Reagan, and the death toll was cut by about 40 percent through a change in public attitudes and an increase in the legal drinking age.

It's a lot easier in Europe, cos most big cities have good public transport, so you can get wasted and not have to worry about driving home.

Until computers can drive cars without human intervention you are always going to get things like this;

Once again the Neo-Prohibitonist Fascists are on the march

We'll see much worse if our cars are controlled by MS Windows.

The basic premise of this gag — the computer industry's touting advances in computing technology by comparing them to the automotive industry is met by a stinging rejoinder from car manufacturers — began life as a mere three-line joke at least as far back as early 1997:
There's word in business circles that the computer industry likes to measure itself against the Big Three auto-makers. The comparison goes this way: If automotive technology had kept pace with Silicon Valley, motorists could buy a V-32 engine that goes 10,000 m.p.h. or a 30-pound car that gets 1,000 miles to the gallon — either one at a sticker price of less than $ 50. Detroit's response: "OK. But who would want a car that crashes twice a day?"

This adds an important aspect to your argument.

Perhaps you can shoot your way out of it.

I don't believe you should force people to wear seat belts, but I managed to leave the "YEE-HAW!!!" out of the equation.

Read this Back Door To Prohibition

What's gong to be considered "Drunk" .08? .06? .04? .02? .01?

The basic premise of this gag — the computer industry's touting advances in computing technology by comparing them to the automotive industry is met by a stinging rejoinder from car manufacturers — began life as a mere three-line joke at least as far back as early 1997:
There's word in business circles that the computer industry likes to measure itself against the Big Three auto-makers. The comparison goes this way: If automotive technology had kept pace with Silicon Valley, motorists could buy a V-32 engine that goes 10,000 m.p.h. or a 30-pound car that gets 1,000 miles to the gallon — either one at a sticker price of less than $ 50. Detroit's response: "OK. But who would want a car that crashes twice a day?"

MADD is one of the most insane organizations there is. Driven by revenge, they frequently lie and cheat to spread their Nazi-like propaganda. They can go straight to hell, which had better freeze over before I would ever agree to them putting one of those damn things in my car.

This is one of the silliest statements I have heard.

I would love for this to be made law in the UK, likewise all of the cock who dont wear seatbelts should be given a £1,000 on the spt fine by passing coppers.

Please refrain from telling people how to die.

Seriously though, I find this nanny state that such brits approve of disturbing.

It's a shame the film isn't showing there, because it has interesting, if oblique, things to say about the omniscient eyes and ears monitoring everyday life in Britain, which by some measures is the most spied-upon country on Earth....

20 per cent of the world's CCTV cameras operate in Britain. In fact, there is one camera for every 14 people in Britain, and you're liable to be captured up to 300 times a day on CCTV, according to a report issued this week by Britain's privacy commissioner.

First off, this entire thread should be locked on the grounds of Goodwin's Law.

1. Nobody is proposing mandatory alcohol detection devices for all drivers.

Anyway back to the point, great idea, would love to see it on every car made from xxx year, and they would slowly filter through the system, it could also be made a compulsary test item in the annual MOT.

Really? Read this.

Qviri, you watch way way too many films, I would be amazed to find that even 0.1% of car deaths were due to burning or drowning if they could NOT get their seatbelt off. And of course the other 99.9% of people would be really really screwed.

I appreciate that you wear a seatbelt, but why would you not force people to wear one.??? I just cant understand that at all.

I personally know 3 people who would be very much dead and buried if they werent wearing seatbelts at the time of their accidents.

Qviri, another great idea, minumum driving age of 25. No arguments there, also anyone over the age of 70 should be banned. If you think that was a joke think again.