Can this new technology help prevent drunk driving accidents?
Drunk driving is extremely dangerous and is the cause of car accidents throughout East Texas every year. People’s lives can be changed instantly, and injuries are sometimes fatal. Now, a federal agency is recommending that stronger steps be taken to help prevent drunk driving accidents from happening at all.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recommended that all new vehicles sold in the United States be equipped with alcohol monitoring systems that can prevent an intoxicated person from driving.
This recommendation comes after an investigation of an Avenal, California, crash on January 1, 2021, that killed nine people – seven of them children. An SUV traveling south on State Route 33 was traveling at a high rate of speed and crossed the centerline into the other lane, directly into the path of an oncoming pickup truck carrying 8 people.
Investigators found the SUV driver had “a high level of alcohol intoxication.”
Alcohol impairment detection systems offer a potential solution
“Technology could’ve prevented this heartbreaking crash — just as it can prevent the tens of thousands of fatalities from impaired-driving and speeding-related crashes we see in the U.S. annually,” said NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy. “We need to implement the technologies we have right here, right now to save lives.”
The agency would like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require that vehicles be equipped with systems that would prevent or limit vehicle operation by impaired drivers. These systems include vehicle-integrated alcohol impairment detection systems, advanced driver monitoring systems, or both.
The NTSB is also recommending incentives for manufacturers and consumers to adopt intelligent speed adaptation systems to help prevent crashes related to speeding.
At Weinstein Law, we favor any measure to make our roads safer and prevent drunk drivers from causing accidents. But there are also a lot of unknowns, and these are uncharted areas of the law. In addition, privacy concerns and concerns about innocent drivers being accused of drunk driving in a crash can impact cases and affect the ability of victims to recover compensation.
An experienced car accident attorney can fight for your rights
We believe strongly that drunk drivers who cause accidents that leave others seriously injured need to be held accountable. But this can be a challenging and complicated process. Drunk drivers often deny responsibility and fight criminal charges.
Insurance companies are supposed to help the injured, but they are most interested in paying as little as possible to protect their bottom line. They may question the seriousness of someone’s injuries or argue the injuries were pre-existing. Or they’ll make a lowball settlement offer that falls far short of covering the damages suffered.
Attorney Jeff Weinstein has been fighting for the injured in Henderson County for more than 30 years. He investigates drunk driving crashes and gathers evidence that builds strong cases. He knows how to fight back against insurance companies and help victims recover the financial compensation they deserve.
If you were hurt in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you need an experienced Athens car accident lawyer on your side. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.