14 DAY TRIAL // A recent study in the American Journal of Public Health makes a case in favor of adding so-called blood alcohol level testers to the cars regular folks rely on to get to work or to the nearest supermarket and then back home.
The devices the researchers behind this study have in mind would not only measure a person's blood alcohol level to determine whether or not they are fit to get behind the wheel but would also keep the car from starting if the driver is drunk.
Plainly put, we're talking about cars that can figure out if the individual looking to drive them is inebriated and then go on strike and refuse to start if their potential driver is actually drunk and therefore not to be trusted behind the wheel.
Such cars would save tens of thousands of lives
Writing in the American Journal of Public Health, specialists with the University of Michigan Injury Center and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute argue that such cars have the potential to save tens of thousands of lives.
More precisely, the scientists say that installing anti-DUI devices in all the cars bound to be sold in the US over the following 15 years would cut the rate of alcohol-related crash deaths by as much as 85%.
Otherwise put, as many as 59,000 deaths resulting from car crashes for which drunk drivers are to blame could be prevented. The move would also prevent an impressive 1.25 million non-fatal injuries, the researchers go on to detail.
As explained by study lead author Patrick Carter and colleagues, young drivers whose age makes them more likely to display reckless behavior while behind the wheel would benefit the most from the move.
It is estimated that the overall number of alcohol-related crash injuries and deaths caused by drivers age 21 to 29 would drop by over 480,000. In the case of drivers younger than 21, the number of deaths and injuries would drop by nearly 195,000.
The devices would pretty much pay for themselves
In their report in the American Journal of Public Health, the researchers argue that, although the initial costs associated with implementing such a project would be considerable, the devices would essentially pay for themselves in just a few years.
This is because, over a 15-year period, the prevented deaths and injuries would cut total healthcare costs in the US by approximately $343 billion (roughly €320 billion).
“Our analysis clearly demonstrates the significant public health benefit and societal cost savings associated with including alcohol ignition interlock devices as standard equipment in all new cars,” University of Michigan researcher Patrick Carter said in a statement.