Dubious as the credibility of ignition-interlock breathalyzer systems may be, the “promised land” of no drunk driving is probably a temptation for automakers and some safety advocates to try bringing these breathalyzers into vehicles. Toyota has teamed up with Hino Motors Ltd. to curb the menace of drunk driving, and their weapon of choice is the breathalyzer ignition-interlock system.
The idea is to have the driver test own breath before driving, and at the same time, aphotograph is taken to confirm the driver’s identity. If the device finds alcohol in the breath, it locks vehicle ignition. Since the results of the test and the photograph are stored on a digital tachograph, fleet administrators will be able to confirm the test and behavior of a driver. Well, drivers sure will find a way to beat this test, after all, if all drunk drivers were honest, we wouldn’t need such devices in the first place.
