Toyota is developing a new gadget to prevent drunken driving. This new anti-drunk driving gadget will lock the ignition of the vehicle if high levels of alcohol are detected in the driver.
The system features a hand-held breathalyzer clubbed with a digital camera for identification. Both will detect alcohol consumption and photograph driver’s face for identification. If high level of alcohol consumption is detected, it will either warn the driver or lock the ignition totally.
This gadget is currently not fitted in passenger cars but is available on commercial trucks. However, it can be fitted in government cars and cars owned by companies, etc. It will alert the fleet administrators in case alcohol consumption is detected. Toyota is currently testing the gadget in association with truck maker Hino Motors.
Nissan is also developing such a gadget. Certain states in the US have already passed legislation requiring drunken driving offenders to install breathalyzer ignition locks in their cars.
