For motorists in Michigan, drunk driving can be a real threat. In 2017 alone, 10,874 people across the country were killed by drunk driving accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Law enforcement and public awareness campaigns have stepped up to highlight the dangers of driving while intoxicated, but people continue to lose their lives on the roadways. Some are looking for a technological solution to the problem. That’s why Volvo announced that it would install an anti-drunk driving system in its cars beginning in the early 2020s. The technology would also target distracted driving.
Including both cameras and sensors inside the car, the Volvo system would monitor drivers for signs of intoxication or extreme distraction. It would make use of autonomous technologies to stop the vehicle or park it safely on the side of the road. While the idea of a car taking over control from a driver may be disturbing, Volvo noted that the car would only act after a driver was “clearly intoxicated” and failed to respond to warning signals. The automaker also noted that the system was designed to prevent car accidents that could cause serious injuries or fatalities.
This is only Volvo’s latest safety initiative; in March 2019, the car company said that it planned to install a maximum speed limit of 112 mph in its cars from 2020 onward. A spokesperson said that Volvo’s technologies were aimed at preventing accidents rather than minimizing damages.
While technological remedies to prevent drunk driving crashes may be on the way, people will continue to lose their lives or suffer catastrophic injuries due to drunk, distracted or negligent driving. Someone who has been injured in a car crash caused by another party can work with a personal injury lawyer to pursue compensation for their damages.