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Congress has passed legislation mandating that automakers use technology to prevent alcohol-impaired people from driving cars. Monitoring systems to stop drunk drivers must be installed in all new vehicles as early as 2026. The U.S. Department of Transportation will first assess the best technology to use, then automobile manufacturers will be given time to comply with the new requirements. Approximately $17 billion in federal funds has been allocated to safety programs, the largest increase in decades, as reported by USA Today
How Was the New Legislation Received?
The new legislation was well-received by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), as stated by USA Today. The organization’s national president, Alex Otte, is quoted as describing the package as monumental and the single most important legislation in MADD’s history, which marks the beginning of the end of drunk driving. She expects it to virtually eliminate the number one killer on the nation’s roadways.
What Type of Technology Is Required?
The new law passed by Congress does not specify what type of technology must be installed in new vehicles. It does require that the technology be capable of monitoring the driver and/or blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to detect impairment. The law states that the technology must “passively monitor the performance of a driver of a motor vehicle to accurately identify whether that driver may be impaired,” as stated by National Public Radio (npr). NHTSA has three years to develop regulations according to which all new passenger vehicles must be manufactured in the future, as reported by CBS News.
What Will the New Legislation Do?
Every day in the U.S., approximately 32 people are killed in drunk driving crashes – one person every 45 minutes in 2020, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That year, 11,654 people died in traffic crashes involving alcohol-impaired driving, representing a 14% increase from the previous year. The legislation requires auto manufacturers to install technology that will keep people from driving drunk in all new vehicles. This could significantly reduce traffic injuries and fatalities across the country.
Although many people will be driving older vehicles lacking the new technology, those vehicles will eventually “age out.” Any automobile manufactured after 2026 (or whenever the legislation goes into effect) will be equipped with technology that makes driving drunk impossible. When technology is in place that stops intoxicated people from getting behind the wheel of a car, it will make the roadways safer for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
How Can a Lawyer Help if You Have Been Hurt by a Drunk Driver?
If you have been injured in a crash caused by a drunk driver, you have recourse under the law. You may be entitled to file a claim for compensation against the drunk driver. The first step is to speak with an experienced lawyer. Our Phoenix personal injury attorneys can:
- Investigate your DUI accident to determine fault and liability
- Collect and preserve evidence to support your claim
- Build a strong case based on the facts
- Assess the full extent of your damages
- Negotiate with the other side skillfully on your behalf
- Fight for the compensation you deserve in court if necessary
Why Choose The Husband and Wife Law Team?
Our firm practices only personal injury law. We have received Best Valley Injury Lawyer awards and client choice 5-star awards for many years running, because of our excellent client communication and our reputation for fighting for our clients’ rights.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay us no fees until we recover compensation for you. Contact The Husband and Wife Law Team at (602) 457-6222 to schedule a free consultation.
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