# What This Bill Actually Does

This bill would require all new passenger cars sold in the United States to have technology that detects whether a driver is drunk and prevents them from driving. The technology would work automatically without the driver having to do anything special—it would either monitor how the driver is performing behind the wheel to spot signs of impairment, or it would detect alcohol on the driver's breath or skin, similar to a breathalyzer test. If the system detects that someone is impaired, it would stop or limit the car from operating.

The bill sets a timeline for making this happen. The Transportation Department has 18 months to start the process of creating the new safety rule, then three years to propose the actual rule, and five years total to finalize it. Once finalized, car manufacturers would get between two and three years to figure out how to build this technology into their vehicles before it becomes mandatory. The bill also requires the Transportation Department to work with car makers, suppliers, safety groups, and universities to speed up development of this technology so it's ready to go into cars as soon as possible.

The practical effect would be that within roughly seven to eight years, every new car you could buy would have this drunk driving prevention system built in. This would primarily affect people who drive after drinking, making it physically impossible for them to operate their vehicle. It could also affect car manufacturers, who would need to invest in developing and installing this technology in all their vehicles. For the general public, the main benefit would be fewer drunk driving accidents and deaths on the roads, though some people might worry about privacy concerns with a system that monitors driver behavior or detects alcohol.

Honoring Abbas Family Legacy to Terminate Drunk Driving Act of 2021

Dingell, Debbie

Honoring Abbas Family Legacy to Terminate Drunk Driving Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to prescribe a motor vehicle safety standard that requires passenger motor vehicles manufactured after the effective date of such standard to be equipped with advanced drunk driving prevention technology. Advanced drunk driving prevention technology means a passive system that (1) monitors a driver's performance to identify impairment of a driver, (2) passively detects a blood alcohol level equal to and exceeding .08 blood alcohol content, or (3) detects impairment and prevents or limits vehicle operation. DOT must work with manufacturers of passenger motor vehicles, suppliers, safety advocates, and other interested parties to accelerate the development of the advanced drunk driving prevention technology and ensure the integration of such technology into the vehicles available for sale at the earliest practicable date.