Survey of 1,001 U.S. Participants on In-Vehicle Alcohol Detection Technology Revealed 66 Percent of Responses Favor the Passive Touch System and Passive Breath Option as Potentially Effective.
Survey Conducted with 1,001 Drivers Aged 21 or Older Nationwide to Gather Opinions on Planned Vehicle-Integrated Alcohol Detection Technology.
Nationwide, United States
In-vehicle technology to prevent drunk driving: Public acceptance required for successful deployment
Summary Information
In-vehicle technologies can potentially prevent driving while intoxicated and thereby act as important parts of a safe system approach. The Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have been pioneering a program which involves researching and developing vehicle-integrated technologies to prevent drunk driving, known as the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS), since 2008. This study conducted an online survey in 2020 in the U.S, with 1,001 subjects, to assess the public acceptance of the development of DADSS.
METHODOLOGY
The DADSS program is designed to include multiple potential technologies to prevent drunk driving, such as breath-based sensor and a touch-based sensor. The breath-based system is planned to measure alcohol as a driver breathes normally, while being in the driver’s seat. The touch-based system would measure blood alcohol levels using an infrared light through the fingertip of the driver, most likely to be integrated into existing vehicle controls, such as the start button or steering wheel, and take multiple, accurate readings. In this study, a survey was conducted to gage public acceptance of the DADSS program in terms of passive detection, accuracy, and system response.
FINDINGS
- Results showed that 66 percent of the survey respondents favored the passive touch system option as a potentially effective technology.
- Results also revealed that passive breath systems were favored by 64 percent of the respondents.
- The receptivity to have alcohol detection technology in the next vehicle they buy was 57 percent for passive touch systems; and 54 percent for passive breath systems.
