Sensors

Alcohol-detection technologies measure driver's BAC

22nd June 2015
Siobhan O'Gorman
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Alcohol-detection technologies designed to prevent vehicles from being driven when a driver’s BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) exceeds the legal limit are being developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 

The prototypes, which include a breath-based sensor and a touch-based sensor, have been developed at part of NHTSA’s Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) programme, launched to work towards a voluntary, non-regulatory countermeasure to reduce drunk driving.

The breath-based sensor, which will be located in the steering wheel or driver-side door, is designed to measure the alcohol level in a driver’s breath. The device will take instantaneous readings to distinguish between the driver’s breath and that of any passengers.

The touch-based sensor, which will be integrated into vehicle controls such as the start button or steering wheel, is designed to measure the blood alcohol levels under the driver’s skin by shining an IR-light through the fingertip. If the sensors determine that the driver’s BAC is too high, the vehicle will not start.

The prototypes are currently being integrated into vehicles for a series of field tests.

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