Alcohol-sensing technology could become standard in all cars

[Chuck]

Longwell argues that such in-vehicle technology will mean the end of social drinking in the USA.

Larry Copeland - USATODAY - June 29, 2012

As with other tech, it could be implemented well or poorly, but obvious philosophical questions. Ref: Breathalyzer --Ed.

The long-term transportation funding bill just approved by Congress includes funds for researching alcohol-detection technology that could eventually be standard equipment in all new cars.

That funding — $5 million over two years — should have been stripped from the bill because it "uses American taxpayer dollars to fund something they're not going to want in their cars," said a group representing the restaurant industry.

"Spending lots of taxpayer dollars to develop alcohol-sensing technology that can come as standard equipment in all cars is a misuse of these funds," said Sarah Longwell, managing director of the American Beverage Institute (ABI).... [Read More]

[Chuck]

The most obvious question on the tech is where the line on drunk will be set? That varies on the individual - not to mention the driver could be impaired before they are legally drunk.

Do you want to set the drunk limit on the breathlyzer high so it bats 1.000? Or do you want it to also exclude drivers under the influence, but not legally drunk?

Another question is how easily could alcoholics get around this system?

[herm]

http://money.msn.com/saving-money-ti...5-4300198ce30c

A do-it-yourself DUI test?
France will soon begin requiring all drivers to carry a kit that can measure blood-alcohol content. You can get the single-use tests here for as little as $2 a pop.
By MSN Money partner Feb 27, 2012 9:36AM

Starting July 1, you'll have to carry a portable blood-alcohol test kit with you if you want to drive in France. You'll be fined 11 euros -- about $15 -- if you can't produce one when the gendarmes ask.

Who knew such a thing even existed?
Turns out they're about the size of a cigarette, available in the U.S. and much cheaper when purchased in bulk. Expect to pay as much as $7 at a retail counter but as little as $2 when you buy a bunch. We found them at Wal-Mart and suggest you read the instructions before your first drink, just to be safe.
The chemically coated crystals inside these single-use devices react to concentrations of alcohol in the user's breath, turning colors above a certain threshold. Most manufacturers sell the devices tuned for "zero tolerance" situations (such as school, they note), 0.05% (the legal blood-alcohol level in France), or 0.08%, the limit in the U.S.
Friends in Europe suggest carrying two: One to use and one to show the police.

Back in the good ol' U.S. of A, while the devices are strictly optional, the $2 gizmo strikes us as cheap insurance if you've had one more than you had planned. They won't tell you anything you didn't already know, but maybe you'll pay attention to the result based on sheer novelty value.

[herm]

This is not good for the gasohol industry if the device picks up trace amounts in your hands after you fillup the gas tank.