Georgia Injury Law Blog
The federal administration has kickstarted the rule-making process that would require drunk driving car accident prevention technology on all new cars.
This welcome announcement was made by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which recently announced that it has started work on the rule- making process that would require impaired driving prevention systems on all new cars. These systems that work to prevent drivers from operating a vehicle include technology that measures the amount of alcohol on a person’s breath and prevents him from operating the engine if it detects a certain amount of alcohol in his system. This technology is very similar to the ignition interlock systems that are currently used in several states, including Georgia, as penalties for repeat drunk driving offenders. Other technologies that will be reviewed include camera systems that can monitor eye movements in order to identify if a driver is impaired or driving under the influence of alcohol.
At this point, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration initiative would allow regulators to collect data about the various systems that are currently in place in automobiles and their impact in reducing the incidence of driving under the influence of alcohol. If things reach their preferred conclusion, we could have drunk driving auto accident prevention sensors, cameras or other systems in all new cars as a standard feature. There is no doubt that this could significantly help reduce the number of car accidents caused by impaired drivers.
There are fewer motorists driving under the influence of alcohol now than there were a couple of decades ago, thanks to stringent enforcement of laws against drunk driving as well as greater awareness of the dangers of driving while impaired. Unfortunately, drunk driving continues to remain one of the top 3 car accident factors in the United States. In 2021, more than 13,300 persons were killed in auto accidents caused directly by drivers under the influence of alcohol. We need more powerful efforts in this direction, and this step by the federal administration towards rulemaking is definitely one in the right direction.
Car accidents can occur due to a number of factors, and many of these factors are entirely preventable. This includes drunk driving which can definitely be avoided. It makes no sense that more than 13,000 lives are lost every year in car accidents that are 100% preventable by proven technology which exists and is available.
The Atlanta car accident lawyers at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers are dedicated to the representation of persons who have suffered injuries in drunk driving car accidents and other types of car accidents in the metro Atlanta region and the state of Georgia. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in an auto accident, talk to a lawyer at our firm and discuss your legal options for a claim for damages. You may qualify for compensation that includes your medical costs, lost wages, and other forms of economic and non- economic damages. Talk to a lawyer at our firm and discuss your case. Initial consultations are free.