PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A new AAA survey shows most Americans support requiring alcohol impairment prevention technology in all new cars, even for drivers who have never been convicted of drunk driving.
The technology being developed would be different from breathalyzers currently required for convicted impaired drivers.
According to the AAA survey released on Monday, 67% of respondents support requiring all new cars to include alcohol impairment prevention technology. Additionally, 51% support lowering the legal blood alcohol content limit from 0.08 to 0.05.
AAA’s Julian Paredes said the technology in development can analyze how drivers look and sample blood alcohol levels through fingertips.
“There’s some new technology that’s still in development that can kind of tell if the driver is drunk or somehow inebriated and prevents you from turning on the car,” Paredes said. “It kind of measures your eye, if you eyes are a little bit — you can kind of tell that you’re drunk. It will take the temptation of drinking and driving away from you.”
The survey also found widespread recognition of distracted driving dangers, yet many drivers continue risky behaviors. According to the results, 97% say scrolling social media, 94% say texting or emailing and 90% say reading on a handheld phone are extremely or very dangerous.
However, 28% reported texting, 37% read messages, and 36% talked on a handheld phone while driving. The survey shows 79% support a handheld phone ban, while only 40% support limits on hands-free use.
“One of the big things that AAA has found is that there’s been a big increase in all sorts of unsafe driving behavior,” Paredes said. “And road fatalities have also gone up in the last few years. That’s really not a coincidence.”
The survey found 70% say driving within an hour of using marijuana is very or extremely dangerous, but 6% reported doing so. Marijuana is legal recreationally in Arizona.
Unlike alcohol, the presence of THC in blood does not directly correlate with driver impairment. THC can be detected in body fluids for days or weeks after consumption.
Paredes said driving under the influence of marijuana is a growing issue in Arizona but is wrongfully perceived as less dangerous than drunk driving.
“Marijuana, since it has become legalized in more and more states, it’s becoming more and more of an issue,” Paredes said. “And it’s not safe. It’s just as much of a threat as alcohol.”
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