New Infrastructure Package Aims to End Drunk Driving | 11.17.2021

President Joe Biden is expected to sign a $1 trillion infrastructure package that will do more than just rebuild roads and bridges across the United States. In fact, part of this package is dedicated to helping eliminate the No. 1 killer on US roads: drunk driving.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28 people are killed every day in drunk-driving crashes in the United States. The plan seeks to drastically reduce this number by requiring automakers to install technology systems detecting intoxicated drivers as early as 2026.

How Will Automakers Prevent Drunk Driving?

• One option currently in development is a discrete sensor measuring the driver’s alcohol level from their blood or breath.
• Another possible solution is an advanced camera that would make sure the driver is paying attention to the road and monitor the driver’s behavior for signs of drowsiness, loss of consciousness, or impairment.

So, what would happen if the camera detected one of these behaviors? First, the car would warn the driver. Then, if the behavior(s) continues, the car would turn on its hazards, slow down, and pull to the side of the road, according to auto blog.

As personal injury attorneys who see the tragic and sometimes deadly effects drunk driving has on everyone involved, we will be closely following this story and the potential impacts new technology may have on our clients.

About Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC

Cavanaugh & Thickens is a personal injury, criminal defense, and workers’ compensation law firm based in Columbia, South Carolina. With over 60 years of combined experience, the attorneys at Cavanaugh & Thickens focus on helping every client recover physically, financially, and emotionally. To schedule a free consultation with an award-winning attorney or to learn more about C&T, call (803) 888-2200 or visit www.ctlawsc.com.

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Disclaimer: The opinions and ideas in this article are for informational purposes only and are not intended as legal advice. Each case is different and must be evaluated based on its own particular facts and merits.

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