Perfect for Lindsay Lohan: Nissan's New On-Board Breathalyzer

Manufacturers like Saab, Toyota and Volvo have already developed breathalyzers in their cars, and now Nissan is joining them. The company is testing a new system in Japan that will force drivers to blow into a breathalyzer to start the car. If they blow and the level is above the specified limit, the ignition will be disabled.

Nissan will test the system in real-world situations, partnering with local authorities in two Japanese cities. It will be interesting to see if the technology has a practical application. We joke about Lindsay Lohan, but as traffic deaths have declined in the U.S., traffic deaths involving alcohol have not, and devices like these could be the next court-ordered gadget to curb drunken driving.

Related
Toyota Joining Alcohol-Detection Crowd (KickingTires)
Can Technology Prevent Drunken Driving? (KickingTires)

Comments

I think that this would be a very good idea; not just for Nissan, but for all vehicles. Drunk driving charges in my area have gone up 9% from 2005-2006 and putting these into cars would certainly HELP end these increases.

The idea has been brought up before in my area and many people have complained that it's an embarrassing accessory. Well, there's a very simple solution to that: DON"T DRINK AND DRIVE!!! It's that simple, and doing this will prove as a reality check for those who don't care whether they get caught drinking/driving or not.

“devices like these could be the next court-ordered gadget to curb drunken driving “

Haven't courts been ordering repeat DUI offenders to use ignition interlock devices for several years now?

Excellent invention! Too many people got hurted or killed due to those stupid drunk drivers. If only this system could also detect prohibited drug use prior to driving...

Court system works to a certain degree, but for those stupid DUI or DWI drivers, the more of these type of inventions the better, 'coz for these people, they probably have hurted/killed one too many people, and for those that haven't hurted anyone but only to themselves or their vehicles, this is 1 invention that prevents them from hurting others (court system won't work in this case since these people have no record of DUI/DWI yet...)

Lil'Tom-
Yup, these devices are nothing new. They've been around for many years, and are regularly installed on the cars of repeat offenders everywhere.

BiggyT-
Well, if it's no big deal to have someone (or something) watching you if you're doing nothing wrong, I'd like to install cameras in your car, in your living room, and in your front and back yards. I'd like to watch you all the time. Oh, and I'd like to listen in on your phone conversations and read your email as well. Hey, if you're not doing anything wrong, where's the problem?

I believe the point of these new systems from the automakers is better integration and less cost.

It would be even better if it tested for drug use too.

Just have a friend or pay somebody to blow in it for you. Won't work

This is great for those of us who have no intention of drinking and driving. I would be more than relieved to know that I couldn't start my car because I had too much to drink.

More cameras WOULD make us safer. Good point, Dan. And we should profile Middle Easterners for greater scrutiny when they fly. I wonder if TSA is coming out with a device for that.

This is funny - Linsay Lohan was arrested AGAIN y'day for DUI, DWI (I dunno which is which, but she was tested positive on both alcohol & cocaine) and driving with a suspended license. This is too much. This Nissan is not even good enuf for her any more!

^ ^
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I think its actually stopped being funny. She was even wearing a device that monitored her blood alcohol level for a while, then relapsed. At first I thought it was just adolescent carelessness, but this looks like it could be an actual addiction.

Someone mentioned a (sort of) good idea on another board: just lock her up for five years. Cruel some would think, but five years of no alcohol or drugs is enough to usually break an addiction I'd think.

Only stupid people get caught by the cops in the first place, but you have to be doubly retarded to have any trouble with the ignition breathalyzer. I knew a guy whom the court ordered to have an ignition breathalyzer. It cost him a couple grand by the time it was all said and done. It tested for any alcohol. So if he had one beer it would be an hour and a half or more before he could leave. I had an idea and tried it out. I bought a couple of those large balloons that come with a heavy rubber band, they're for kids to blow-up and use like a punching game. I'm sure everyone knows the kind I mean. Anyway, I had him blow a couple of them up and leave them in the car just before he went into the bar for a few beers. After a few beers he went to his car, put the balloon on the breathalyzer and the car started right up. Magic!
Once again the whole DUI thing is a ruse. MADD has become an industry that generates multi-millions of dollars for its executives and niche markets, plus cities and counties take a huge revenue from the fees and court costs involved with prosecuting DUIs. Statistically you are more likely to be struck by lightning than to be killed by a drunk driver. But MADD and your local precinct can't make money on a lightning strike. Wake up and take responsibility for your own community. Stop allowing your government and industry to use fear tactics to control you. Wake up from your life of quiet desperation.