The Government’s Role in the Interlock Campaign
Sue Ferguson, Chair of ACTS and DADSS Blue Ribbon Panel MemberUltimately we would like them on all vehicles.”
Through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Federal Government is advancing the universal interlock campaign.
NHTSA has partnered with the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS) and MADD in a 5-year project called the “Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS)” to facilitate the development of standard interlocks for installation in all cars.
Slide from DADSS Presentation, June 17, 2009. Source: Dadss.org
NHTSA has pledged at least $1 million per year towards this end—with ACTS matching or exceeding the amount of NHTSA donations—for a total of at least $10 million over the 5-year campaign. In addition, MADD has asked Congress for an additional $30 million to be allotted annually for the project.
Funding for ACTS currently is provided by motor vehicle manufacturers: BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Toyota, Volkswagen.
Within the next few years, the managers of DADSS expect to have a prototype ready for testing and demonstration. Learn about the many alcohol sensing technologies being researched by DADSS.
Slides from a DADSS presentation describe potential interlock technology. Source: Dadss.org