Automatic Detection of Intoxicated Drivers

As the evidence of the contribution of intoxicated drivers to vehicular fatalities continues to mount, interest has grown in the development of novel counter-measures. One approach now being considered involves the use of a device installed in the automobile which automatically determines if the driver is intoxicated and prevents the driver from operating the vehicle when intoxication is determined. In this paper such devices are discussed with particular consideration given to the method of determining intoxication, the point in time when the determination is made and their applications. The paper also discusses the Transportation Systems Center's research program directed to dealing with this problem.