Why are we here?

The Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have entered into a cooperative research agreement to explore the feasibility, the potential benefits of, and the public policy challenges associated with a more widespread use of in-vehicle technology to prevent alcohol-impaired driving.

Almost 9,000 road traffic deaths could be prevented every year if alcohol detection devices were used in all vehicles.

Aftermarket ignition interlocks have been used successfully among convicted drunk drivers to significantly reduce the incidence of impaired driving. However, deployment of the current technology on a more widespread basis as a preventative measure is not likely to occur because drivers are required to provide a breath sample each and every time before starting the vehicle. To be acceptable for use among the general public, including those who do not drink and drive, alcohol detection technologies must be far less intrusive – they must not impede sober drivers from starting their vehicles. They would need to be capable of rapidly and accurately determining and measuring alcohol in the blood. They would also need to be small, reliable, durable, repeatable, maintenance free, and relatively inexpensive.

The technical challenges in meeting these goals are substantial, however, the potential benefits to society are compelling. It has been estimated that almost 9,000 road traffic deaths could be prevented every year if alcohol detection devices were used in all vehicles to prevent alcohol-impaired drivers from driving their vehicles. To achieve these goals, a step-by-step, data-driven process will be followed to ensure that effective technologies are developed. Technological solutions can be effective only if the driving public who use the technologies understand and accept them. Only when technology meets the exacting standards described above and is coupled with public acceptance, will consideration be given to applying it more widely.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the DADSS program aim to achieve?

The DADSS program has been launched to research, develop, and demonstrate non-invasive in-vehicle alcohol detection technologies that can very quickly and accurately measure a driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BACs). These advanced technologies offer the potential for a system that could prevent the vehicle from being driven when the driver’s BAC exceeds the legal limit.

Why is this program necessary? Aren’t cars getting safer every year?

Yes, car manufacturers continue to incorporate safety devices that have made great strides in bringing down highway deaths through the application of new technologies. But alcohol-impaired driving remains a major factor in the tens of thousands of highway deaths that occur every year. Since 1997, about a third of all fatally-injured passenger vehicle drivers had blood alcohol concentrations at or above the legal limit. The DADSS program aims to make it impossible for an alcohol-impaired person to drive the car, which could reduce passenger vehicle crash deaths by as much as 9,000 per year.

Who are the key players in the DADSS program?

The Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are engaged in a cooperative research agreement. Costs of the 5-year, $10 million agreement will be shared by both organizations. The ACTS members represent a majority of automotive companies that develop and build new vehicles for the U.S. market. ACTS has formed a Blue Ribbon Panel of experts to advise the project, including automotive manufacturers and suppliers, public interest organizations, highway safety researchers, domestic and international government agencies, and medical and behavioral scientists.

Are existing ignition interlocks not suitable for this role?

No. Current breath-based alcohol sensing ignition interlocks have been used for more than twenty years, but they are targeted at convicted drunk drivers to prevent them from continuing to drive when measurable alcohol is detected. These devices require drivers to provide breath samples each and every time they attempt to start their vehicles. This intrusive approach is not acceptable for widespread use among the driving public, many of whom driver sober, or have BACs below the legal limit. Recent technology reviews suggest that with a dedicated research and development program and public education, a non-intrusive device may be successfully deployed in the future.

What challenges exist to integrating a DADSS device into vehicles?

It is a reasonable expectation of the driving public that a device in their vehicle not impede them from driving if their BAC is below the legal limit. This requires that the device be fast, accurate, reliable, and repeatable. From the vehicle manufacturer’s perspective it must also be readily integrated into the vehicle’s existing on-board systems, be durable, require little or no maintenance, and be tamper resistant. In other words the device must be seamless to operate.

What kind of technologies might be utilized?

Numerous potential technologies will be investigated in the DADSS program, ranging from the analysis of air samples in the vehicle passenger compartment, to tissue spectroscopy, and assessing emissions through the skin. As the program matures, a number of different technologies will be investigated to assess their suitability for this role. Promising approaches will be developed further, with the intention of in-vehicle and real-world testing being conducted.

What schedule is envisaged for the development of DADSS?

The DADSS agreement foresees a five year program of research, development and demonstration. The initial Request for Information (RFI) was posted on April 3, 2008. Responses to this RFI have been received through the summer months of 2008, and these have resulted in face-to-face meetings with a number of interested companies, both in the US and abroad. System Performance Specifications have been developed, and a Request for Proposal (RFP) has been distributed to successful respondents. Subsequent to detailed evaluation of the RFP responses, contract awards, of which there may be more than one, will follow in the first half of 2009. In-vehicle testing of prototypes is planned by 2013.

How can I find out more?

The DADSS website www.DADSS.org provides extensive information on the program requirements and schedules. All relevant reports are available from the web site to assist interested parties and potential vendors in understanding more about the DADSS program. You may also contact program representatives at info@dadss.org.