Many Pennsylvania motorists are very concerned about the dangers posed by drunk driving. People who get behind the wheel while intoxicated can pose a severe risk to others on the road, causing severe accidents and often fatalities. In 2017 alone, 10,874 people were killed in car crashes linked to drunk driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Recognizing the threat on the roads has led to a number of responses, from public awareness campaigns to escalated law enforcement activities.
One automaker is trying a different approach based on technology. Volvo has announced that it plans to install a system in its passenger automobiles that could monitor drivers for signs of intoxication and shut the car down if needed. The system, which will be available in the early 2020s, will make use of a range of autonomous vehicle technologies to control the car in case of an emergency. It will include cameras and sensors inside the car that monitor the driver for signs that something is wrong, including drivers whose eyes close for extended periods of time or who show no activity on the steering wheel.
If the driver fails to respond to a loud warning alarm, the technology would kick in, pulling the car to the side of the road and forcing it to park safely. Volvo noted that the technology is designed as an emergency system to prevent catastrophic car accidents and the resulting injuries and fatalities.
While technological solutions may be a way to stop drunk drivers in the future, people continue to suffer long-term injuries and permanent disabilities as a result of distracted or impaired driving. People injured in a car crash caused by someone else’s negligence can work with a personal injury lawyer to seek compensation for their damages.