Thursday 9th June 2005

Saab tests anti-boozing device

Drink-driving set to become harder

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Saab Alcokey to cut drink-driving?

Drinking and driving is set to become harder, as Saab launches a system which means the car refuses to start if it thinks you're over the limit.

As the UK Government launches its Road Safety Bill 2005, which includes research into Alcohol Ignition Interlock Programmes (AIIPs), Saab is implementing the technology in Sweden.

The UK Government's Department for Transport (DfT) has just released details of its Road Safety Bill 2005, which allows for the future use of Alcohol Ignition Interlock Programmes (AIIPs). The DfT notes that previous research and experience from around the world 'have shown that these are effective in discouraging re-offending [of drink driving]'.

Saab's new Alcokey, introduced in concept form in autumn 2004 and financed in part by grants from the National Swedish Road Administration's sign fund, has started wide-ranging field trials. They involve both private customers and trucking firms, with a view to launching the finished device on the Swedish market as an optional extra within two years. The technology could then become available in the UK.

Users of the Alcokey must breathe into a small mouthpiece in the car's key fob, which is fitted with a breathalyser. A transponder communicates with the car's electronic control unit, immobilising the engine if a driver's breath sample is found to contain alcohol above the permitted level.

Saab first exhibited its concept for an Alcokey in autumn 2004. Because the Alcokey obviates extra electronics and elaborate installations, Saab believes that once it is in serial production it will be possible to keep the price to the customer below £225 (3,000 SEK). Saab also hopes that the Alcokey can be fitted post-delivery to most Saab models.

The field trials that are currently being undertaken are concerned with studying factors such as accuracy of readings, long-term properties and robustness. Another important aspect is how the trial participants perceive the Alcokey in daily use. It's been known for some time that customers are less inclined to pay for features that they don't consider they need -- "I never drive when I've been drinking" -- which makes ease of use all the more important.

Anna Petre, responsible for community contacts at Saab Automobile, says: "In order to stimulate the introduction of the Alcokey on a broad front, consideration should be given to government involvement in the form of reduced fiscal-benefit values, or arrangements with the insurance companies to lower premiums on cars fitted with Alcokeys.

"Saab's Alcokey", says Anna Petre "is primarily intended as a support for those who want to stay on the right side of the law. During its development, one priority has been to achieve user-friendliness, and this is a breathalyser that will still pick up the great majority of drunk-driving cases. It's going to take time, of course, before all cars have Alcokeys, but we have to start the process somewhere."

The only question is whether people will want their cars to refuse to start automatically, or if they prefer to make their own minds up.

[jamiet]

I think its a great idea in principle as there is no excuse for drink driving. However, its not going to work if it is voluntary, and how would you get the technology into older cars?

[qed]

jamiet said:

However, its not going to work if it is voluntary, and how would you get the technology into older cars?

An idea would be to make it compulsory for drivers who have been banned for DD and have just had their licence returned after their year(s) off. The retrofit would be at the drivers cost and licence only returned after police inspection of device.

[Shackyb]

Gotta be a good idea to stop drink drivers, should be given to those with prior convictions without doubt. Might get a bit frustrating if it malfunctions though... and whats to stop someone else breathing into the key for you???

[PetrolTed]

Shackyb said:

... and whats to stop someone else breathing into the key for you???

More fool them!

[apache]

You realise that the only way this can work correctly is to have a copy of your DNA in the device

[randlemarcus]

Is it just my warped mind (hi nervy ), or can anyone else foresee jolly drunken japes where you blow into Bobs keyfob when he goes to the loo, and its then locked out for 20 minutes....

heheh

[greg2k]

apache said:

You realise that the only way this can work correctly is to have a copy of your DNA in the device

Not really; A lot of drink drivers aren't the ones who get so drunk they don't know what they're doing and happen to have their car keys with them. Certainly more dongerous than those just over the limit.

[kaiowas]

Those who choose to drink drive will never voluntarily pay for a device which will stop them driving.

Those who don't drink drive don't need this device so they won't pay for it either.

What's more it's going to become a chore having to breathe into this thing every single time you try and start the car.

Then there's hygiene issues - you take you car for a service and the only way the garage can start it is for one of their mechanics to breathe into your key fob.

[giantaxe]

A bit like Withnail, and his Fairy Liquid bottle of innocent piss, you could get a small child to blow into a balloon and discharge this over the device before setting off home.

It would be wrong though.

[dsul]

Should be compulsory for bus drivers.

[imperialism2024]

Hasn't the talk of national ID cards and the PATRIOT Act made people see this for what it is? It's just another way for the government to control your lives, under the guise of a safety measure. By appealing to emotion, they will fool the ignorant masses, er, the majority into believing that more restrictions will make them safer, while at the same time only making it easier for the problem to occur.

What's next? Banning guns lowers crime? Banning marijuana reduces crime? Nationalizing healthcare improves the overall healthcare of the people? Oops... doesn't really work when the government tries to micromanage problems, eh?

While DUI is a problem, albeit minor, the government should be instructing, not regulating. How about teaching people how to make good decisions concenring drinking and driving? I leave my keys at home and either walk or get a ride whenever I go drinking, so that even if I was tempted to drive, I couldn't.

I may sound like a conspiracy theorist, but haven't recent government initiatives been enough to convince us that maybe the government's "safety" and "security" measures are nothing more than a way to establish a police state right in front of our eyes?

It's time to wake up.

Rant over

[ed.]

Has great potential, once combined with gps road charging
. No late bills and interest charges your car just won't work.