Toyota Creating In-Vehicle Alcohol Detection System

srizah writes "Toyota is developing an Alcohol Detection System that can detect drunken drivers and would immobilize the car when it detects excessive alcohol consumption. From the article: 'Cars fitted with the detection system will not start if sweat sensors in the driving wheel detect high levels of alcohol in the driver's bloodstream, according to a report carried by the mass-circulation daily, Asahi Shimbun. The system could also kick in if the sensors detect abnormal steering, or if a special camera shows that the driver's pupils are not in focus. The car is then slowed to a halt, the report said.'"

Ob

[lastchance_000]

"I'm sorry Dave, I can't do that"

Re:Ob

[Kingrames]

It can only be attributable to human error.
The correct quote is:
"I'm sorry Dave. I'm afraid that's something I cannot allow to happen."

There are ways this could be more interesting.

[pizzach]

Slowing to a halt is all good and dandy but a bit anti-clamactic. It would be much more interesting if the breaks automatically locked, the airbags went off, all of the lights inside flipping on and off like the starship Enterprise in red alert etc etc. Defintely would scare the heck out of me. Maybe they should make the system automatically put the warning flashers on too for good measure. :)

Re:easy cheating

[Joebert]

And make sure they're a size too small, just trust me on this.

Re:There are ways this could be more interesting.

[CdBee]

the true guarantee of safe driving technique: remove airbag, replace with a sharp spike

Thank god I live in Canada!

[Sefert]

And it's so damn cold i'm wearing gloves when i'm driving home pissed!

This'll be great

[Anonymous Coward]

sweat sensors in the driving wheel detect high levels of alcohol in the driver's bloodstream

Better load up on anti-perspirant...
News just in: Sales increase 9000%!

They can also be used to heal wounds apparently...sweat sensors detect alcohol in the blood, they're either blood sensors or Web 2.0 has reached the automotive industry.

Re:Imagine if this malnfunctioned on the freeway

[megaditto]

Perhaps they could make cars that detected a built-up sexual tension in a driver?

I have never been horny in my life, and never will be, so I'd gladly see this boner-alert feature in every car sold. Mandatory is fine with me.

What the fuck, they already offer the heated massage seats... Why not put out a happy ending to boot?

Easily beatable

[straponego]

Cars fitted with the detection system will not start if sweat sensors in the driving wheel detect high levels of alcohol in the driver's bloodstream

Pfft. Gloves.

or if a special camera shows that the driver's pupils are not in focus.

Pfft. Blindfold.

You'll have to try harder than that to infringe on my freedoms, Toyota!

Re:Ob

[Kingrames]

That's not what the OP said either.
In any case, I give up. Winning in pedantry wars isn't really all it's cracked up to be.

Re:Dangerous

[Joebert]

Car : *doesn't start*
Drunk : *starts using towel*
*time elapsed*
Car : Drunk driver detected, shutting down in 60, 59, 58, 57...
Drunk : *mashes gas pedel*

Re:Imagine if this malnfunctioned on the freeway

[bahwi]

People also drink and get home safely, by bus, driving themselves, taxi, or otherwise. Whereas some people don't drink, go to church, and regularly beat their wife and children, pee on the floor. And hell, slow drivers cause accidents too. Lots of people can run someone over and completely blackout, all without alcohol. These things aren't related, and you relating them causes me to think you are already drunk. But that doesn't mean you are.

There's no shame in not drinking though, but to associate them is just silly. Voting republican, IMO, causes more deaths each year than drinking. But that's my opinion, and doesn't make it right.

Re:Imagine if this malnfunctioned on the freeway

[jlarocco]

I've never drank a drop of alcohol in my life, and never will, so I'd gladly see this feature in every car sold. Mandatory is fine with me.

KNOW YOUR DRUNKARD! YOUR LIFE MAY DEPEND ON IT! You will not be able to see his eyes because of Tea-Shades, but his knuckles will be white from inner tension... and his pants will be crusted with semen from constantly jacking off when he can't find a rape victim... He will stagger and babble when questioned. He will not respect your badge. The Drunkard fears nothing. He will attack, for no reason, with every weapon at his command -- including yours... BEWARE. Any officer apprehending a alcohol addict should use all necessary force immediately. One stitch in time [on him] will usually save nine on you.

Seriously though, just because you disagree with something doesn't mean it should be illegal.

Will blow for food

[goombah99]

I predict you will see bums holding signs in nigteclub parking lots.

Now where they really need this is...

[Anonymous Coward]

... on email clients, and web browsers when posting.

that's OK

[oohshiny]

Then the drunks will just drive hands-free; they'll think it's much more fun anyway.

Re:Imagine if this malnfunctioned on the freeway

[Maxo-Texas]

We had one at the beach this summer.

I scored a 24!

Re:Ob

[ENIGMAwastaken]

Yes it is.

Re:Ob

[Xenographic]

> In any case, I give up. Winning in pedantry wars isn't really all it's cracked up to be.

You must be new here :]

Re:If the car is so smart...

[Joebert]

Have you ever tried to ask a drunk where they're going ?

Old Joke

[Morosoph]

Winning in pedantry wars isn't really all it's cracked up to be.

It's pedanticism, silly, as in "If there's one thing that I cannot stand, it's pedanticism".

Re:fatal flaw

[ShimmyShimmy]

Uh... they're bums. Aren't they going to be drunk too?

Well this sucks.

[raehl]

They are used here in the states as well. Unfortunately, these can be easily defeated by having a child or friend blow into the tube so the car starts.

I really don't have the trunk space to be hauling around a child just to get my car started.

Re:Well this sucks.

[x2A]

"I really don't have the trunk space to be hauling around a child just to get my car started"

Oh you can cut them down pretty small so I wouldn't worry about that aspect of it.

Actually, it's the opposite...

[hummassa]

The smarter people oughta be drunk/stoned, so they can overcome the anxieties generated by their knowledge... for instance: I only drive at saturday nights hammered out of reality, to escape the fact that the road is full of drunk drivers... :-)

Re:Well this sucks.

[Mr. Shotgun]

I really don't have the trunk space to be hauling around a child just to get my car started.

No biggie,
Just stick to the residential neighborhoods and offer the kids some candy to come blow on your tube...wait that didn't sound right.