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. The program is taking a voluntary market-driven approach to implementation. ACTS is a nonprofit organization that is funded by motor vehicle manufacturers (BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo). These ACTS members represent a majority of automotive companies that develop and build new vehicles for the U.S. market.

ACTS provides the leadership in overseeing a step-by-step, data-driven process to ensure that effective technologies are developed. Technology performance criteria have been established and a multi-stage research program has been initiated that includes the development of proof-of-concept projects to evaluate promising technological approaches, followed by prototype development and testing phases. Project leadership is provided by a Program Manager and a Technical Manager who work closely together 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.