A new bill, generated by Congress, will make it mandatory for automakers to have monitoring systems in their vehicles. They say that this will solve the problem of people driving cars while drunk.
The funds will come from the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that passed on Friday. The package is headed to the president’s office and requests about $17 billion for the road safety measure.
The monitoring systems could be placed in all new vehicles as soon as 2026. Before that can happen, the Transportation Department has to determine which technology would be most effective. One would be a sensor, testing the air inside the car to figure out a driver’s blood alcohol level. Another could be a touch sensor built into the steering wheel or push start button, detecting the alcohol level of the driver. Additionally, automakers must have sufficient time to be compliant.
DOT Pete Buttigieg added that the new system will also help protect bike paths and the green areas surrounding streets.
