Cars That Bar Drunk Drivers

Re: Would you support the introduction of such devices on production cars, or do you view the trend as an intrusion of your privacy?

Like many other things, I view this as an intrusion into my wallet. The device should be reserved for convicted (or confessed--e.g., offenders that have accpeted a plea-bargain on a drunk or drunk driving related charge). The rest of us should not have to pay even a slight increase in the price of cars because of the device.

Better if the car tested reaction speed. Like a little light and starter button.

You only get .5 second to hit the starter button after the light goes on.

Two tries and if you don't get it, it won't start for an hour, and you have to try the reaction test again.

That's fine, but what if the person accidently hits it at the right time? Then you've got the people who are not so affected by higher amounts of alcohol in their system, they could be just over the limit and still be able to start the car first time.

I have to agree with rhkramer, it should be installed in the vehicles of those who are convicted of drink driving. Why should law abiding citizens be punished for the select few that don't and cause such trouble?

If it is found to be successful then roads will remain empty.Freeways free of cars.

The technology may be there but the application has not been thought through.

Door locks. A drunk walks past the car and touches the lock. Is the sober driver prevented from starting the car for 30 minutes?

Breath sensing. Four guys go for a night out, one stays on orange juice all night so he can drive them home. How does the alcohol sensor know if it is reading breath from the sober driver or the drunken friends? Put the technology in taxis and see if you can get home? Wouldn't last long, the taxi driver would go broke.

Steering wheel touch. Sober driver starts the car and is driving along the highway at 60 in the middle lane. Over the limit passenger accidentally touches the wheel, car stops, pile up, many dead. Who gets sued?

Bad idea, for all of the reasons posted above, and I'm sure more.

I would love to own a company that made something that the government declared mandatory though. All they need to do is hire a big lobbying firm and promise a congressman a seat on the board when he leaves Washington. Bingo!

Besides that, the minute these things were implemented, someone would be working hard to find a way to circumvent them.