Statement by MADD National President Helen Witty on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Request for Information on advanced drunk driving prevention technology:
MADD commends the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for issuing a formal Request for Information on advanced drunk driving prevention systems.
We hope this is an early step toward the installation of advanced technology in all vehicles. A recent study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety indicates that these systems when installed in all vehicles can save more than 9,400 lives every year.
We encourage all elements of the auto industry – OEMs and suppliers around the world – to fully engage in this NHTSA process and show a commitment to using technology to prevent the leading cause of highway deaths.
We know the industry has the expertise and resources to help us achieve a nation of No More Victims.
For more than a year and a half, MADD has been working with members of Congress to advance legislation that would require drunk driving prevention systems in all vehicles. We support a technology-neutral approach to rulemaking that could lead to a requirement for alcohol detection, driver monitoring or some combination of those systems in all vehicles.
We applaud Representatives Frank Pallone (NJ) Debbie Dingell (MI) and Jan Schakowsky (IL) and Senators Rick Scott (FL) and Tom Udall (NM) for their leadership on this issue.
Safety must not be optional.
