Drunk driving technology added to infrastructure bill by Congress.

Congress Pushes Anti-Drunk Driving Technology In Infrastructure Bill

A bipartisan vote in Congress to include anti-drunk driving technology is now included in the 2,706 page Infrastructure bill.

The legislation requires carmakers to include the technology in their models to combat drunk driving by as early as 2026, in a report from Autoblog (AP).

According to the Infrastructure facts sheet on the White House website, all vehicles manufactured

in the US will require anti-drunk driving technology to detect when a drunk person is behind the wheel of a car. In the bill, The National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) is advised to require car companies to report drunk-driving incidents involving semi- and fully autonomous driving systems within one day of learning of an accident.

The Washington Post reports, “car companies must report an accident anytime there’s a death, an injury that requires hospital treatment, a vehicle that’s towed away, an airbag deployment or when a pedestrian and or cyclist is involved.”

“This action will enable NHTSA to collect information necessary for the agency to play its role in keeping Americans safe on the roadways, even as the technology deployed on the nation’s roads continues to evolve,” the regulator said.

NHTSA said it would also require automakers to send in monthly reports outlining all incidents with injuries or property damage involving their automated driving systems. Any company that fails to comply with the order could face fines of up to $22,992 per day, according to The Washington Post.

In a report obtained by AutoBlog (AP), The NHTSA reported an estimated 20,160 people died in traffic collisions during the first half of this year, which is the highest first-half total since 2006.

Though it is illegal to drive drunk in the US, each year, around 10,000 people are killed due to alcohol-related crashes in the U.S., making up nearly 30% of all traffic fatalities, according to NHTSA.

To combat drunk driving, the Department of Transportation is expected to spend a total of $17 billion for road safety programs, which is the highest increase in funding in decades. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the funding increase could mean more protected bike paths and greener spaces built into busy roadways.

Jahaura Michelle

Jahaura Michelle is a graduate of Hofstra University with a Master's degree in broadcast journalism. As a journalist with five+ years of experience, she knows how to report the facts and remain impartial. However, she unapologetically expresses her opinions on things she is most passionate about. As an opinionated Black woman with Puerto Rican and Dominican roots, she loves writing about food, culture, and the issues that continue to plague Black communities. In her downtime, she loves to cook, watch sports, and almost never passes up on a good Caribbean party. Vamanos!