Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog
Our Chicago car accident attorneys have recently discussed the unfortunate number of impaired-driving accidents that our area sees every year. Many innocent motorists are killed because of the irresponsible decisions of others.
To help reduce the risks of these accidents, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is working with vehicle manufacturers to create features that can test your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) before you’re able to turn on your car. The NHTSA has partnered up with The Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS) and the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) to help make this vision a reality, according to Market Watch.This device would not only help to prevent drunk driving-related car accidents in Illinois, but it has the potential to save lives on roadways around the world. To help with production of this device, the NHTSA has awarded TruTouch Technologies and Takata with more than $2 million in funding.
As the end of the year draws near and the holiday season approaches, we can assume from the trends of recent statistics that we will see an increasing number of alcohol-related accidents. Technology like this would be able to prevent these accidents and fatalities.
“As a company solely dedicated to automotive safety, we are excited with the contract from DADSS/ACTS to develop the TruTouch sensors for use in automotive, commercial vehicle and heavy equipment applications,” says Kirk Morris, Vice President of Business Development of TK Holdings Inc.
Morris goes on to say that he wants to see a product that is able to test driver’s BAC level without doing so in an intrusive way.
The TruTouch technology is a system that is able to detect a person’s level of intoxication by just using infrared light. To test your BAC, all you have to do is touch your finger near or on one of the system’s sensors. It’s them able to analyze the alcohol concentration in a person’s body.
This system has been proven to provide an accurate reading within just a few seconds. The feature also has a biometric system built into it so that no one is able to tamper with it. The companies hope that this technology will be accepted by drivers worldwide so that we can all see safer roadways. The product requires no operator assistance and requires no training for users.
In-car technology continues to advance. Drunk driving accidents are 100 percent preventable and if it takes a vehicle-safety feature to help prevent them, then so be it. It’s clear that impaired drivers aren’t going to hand over their keys any time soon.
According to the NHTSA, there were nearly 11,000 people killed in drunk driving car accidents in the U.S. in 2009. These accidents accounted for nearly a third of all traffic fatalities during the year. During this time, Illinois witnessed nearly 400 alcohol-related traffic accidents.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an alcohol-related car accident in Chicago or the surrounding area, the personal injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer you a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.
More Blog Entries:
Fewer Chicago Drunk Driving Accidents Good News, But Awareness Key Heading into the Holiday Season, Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog, October 9, 2011
Lax Enforcement May Increase Your Risk of a Chicago Taxi Cab Accident, Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog, September 30, 2011