DailyTech - Toyota Developing Alcohol Detection System For Cars

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Gadgets Toyota Developing Alcohol Detection System For Cars
Michael Hoffman (Blog) - January 3, 2007 2:57 PM

74 comment(s) - last by rykerabel.. on Jan 8 at 5:45 PM

Toyota is developing a car system that is aimed at keeping the roads safe from drunken drivers

Toyota is in the process of developing a system designed so that cars would be able to detect drunken drivers and automatically shut down. According to reports, the world's current No. 2 automaker plans on fitting some cars with the system by the end of 2009.

The detection system will be released as an optional extra. Toyota hopes that it can be installed on all car models once manufacturing prices have dropped.

New cars equipped in the system will not start if driving wheel sweat sensors pick up a high level of alcohol in the driver's bloodstream. The Toyota system will also be able to detect if a driver is driving abnormally, along with a camera that is used to determine whether or not the driver has pupils that are dilated -- a sign that the driver may have had too much to drink. If the system picks up any of the signals, the car will slow down and come to a complete stop.

Other car manufacturers have also been experimenting with systems that aim at detecting whether or not a driver is sober enough to drive safely. In the United States, for example, alcohol ignition-interlocks are being used for drunk drivers with prior offenses.

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welcome to fascism

By freeside on 1/4/2007 9:14:14 AM , Rating: 4

What the hell? Is everyone posting on here some kind of neo-prohibitionist? Do you really think having this technology in cars is going to eliminate drunk driving? *Banning alcohol* didn't accomplish the end of drunkenness, all it did was increase America's social problems (and made the Kennedys rich).

Look, I'm tired of MADD and their angst-ridden agenda. I have never driven drunk and there is absolutely NO REASON why I should be inconvenienced by my car or by being stopped at checkpoints or whatever the new idea is just because a few people drink and drive. The roads will not be safer because 99% of drivers are NOT DRUNK when they are driving, it is that simple.

I'm so sick to death of this America where everyone is under supsicion at all times and must prove that they are responsible. It is exactly 180 degrees opposed to how it should be here, which is, you should not have to prove you are doing nothing wrong. The few irresponsible bad apples/least common denominator should be derided, but their behavior should never be allowed to reduce everyone's freedom for any reason.

All this bullshit is just a new angle on making everyone a suspect at all times in order to control them and make them pay money for things they don't need or want. It must stop or we will end up with embedded tracking chips in our bodies and have to swipe a card every day in order to obtain permission to leave our homes (with a stated purpose, of course).

RE: welcome to fascism

By glennpratt on 1/4/2007 11:01:35 AM , Rating: 1

Driving is not a right. This is not fascism. You drive on miles of road that you yourself contributed very, very little towards making and we all have to share. You are NOT free to do as you see fit.

This has NOTHING to do with fascism, but it's oh so hip to say fascism these days, isn't it. If you think this has anything to do with the US, I suggest you look at other countries laws, they are more strict.

MADD is justified in their position, alcohol related fatalities have dropped dramatically since 1980, even as driving increased dramatically. The roads are also getting safer, but 39% of fatalities still come from drunk drivers. 16,000 people last year in the US alone. THAT IS UNBELIEVABLY STUPID and people like you feel justified in ignoring in, for what reason, I do not understand. I can only imagine that your a spoiled brat.

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RE: welcome to fascism

By hubajube on 1/4/2007 4:44:53 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
HAT IS UNBELIEVABLY STUPID and people like you feel justified in ignoring in, for what reason, I do not understand. I can only imagine that your a spoiled brat.

Did you have a friend or loved one that died as a result of drunk driving? You seem a bit emotionally connected to this.

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RE: welcome to fascism

By glennpratt on 1/5/2007 1:39:12 PM , Rating: 2

Nope. If I were arguing passionately about Iraq, would you ask if I had a friend die there?

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RE: welcome to fascism

By glennpratt on 1/5/2007 1:45:13 PM , Rating: 2

I'm sorry, I had to reply again. Must be my emotional connection ;|

There is very little emotion in that post. Just confusion. If you don't think 16,000 deaths in one year because of something so trivial isn't 'UNBELIEVABLY STUPID' then I question your sanity.

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