Alcohol Detection

The Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 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. This 5-year agreement requires that ACTS and NHTSA work together to engage in cooperative research that advances the state of alcohol detection technology. ACTS is a nonprofit organization that educates the public and policymakers about traffic safety issues. Funding for ACTS currently is provided by motor vehicle manufacturers (BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Toyota, Volkswagen). These ACTS members represent a majority of automotive companies that develop and build new vehicles for the U.S. market.
 
ACTS will provide leadership in overseeing a step-by-step, data-driven process to ensure that effective technologies are developed. Technology performance criteria will be established and a multi-stage research program initiated that will include proof-of-concept projects to evaluate promising technological approaches, followed by prototype development and testing phases. A Program Manager has been appointed by ACTS to coordinate work under this agreement. ACTS also has appointed a Technical Manager who will work closely with the Program Manager to ensure completion of each work phase of the program. In order to consider the views of industry and other stakeholders ACTS formed a Blue Ribbon Panel of experts, including representatives from automotive manufacturers and suppliers, public interest and research organizations, government representatives both domestic and international, and experts in the science of alcohol toxicology, behavioral impairment, human factors, and highway safety research. The Blue Ribbon Panel meets about twice a year and meeting minutes and presentations are available below.