Toyota creating alcohol detection system

Steering wheel sensors determine driver's blood alcohol level

TOKYO - Toyota Motor Corp. is developing a fail-safe system for cars that detects drunken drivers and automatically shuts the vehicle down if sensors pick up signs of excessive alcohol consumption, a news report said Wednesday.

Cars fitted with the detection system will not start if sweat sensors in the driving wheel detect high levels of alcohol in the driver's bloodstream, according to a report carried by the mass-circulation daily, Asahi Shimbun.

The system could also kick in if the sensors detect abnormal steering, or if a special camera shows that the driver's pupils are not in focus. The car is then slowed to a halt, the report said.

The world's No. 2 automaker hopes to fit cars with the system by the end of 2009, according to the report. Calls to Toyota's headquarters in Nagoya rang unanswered on Wednesday, a public holiday.

Nissan Motor Co., another Japanese car manufacturer, has already been experimenting with breathalyzer-like devices that could detect if a driver was drunken. Similar technologies, such as alcohol ignition interlocks, are in use in the U.S. and elsewhere.

Concerns over drunken driving have surged in Japan following a series of alcohol-related accidents last year. In August, a drunken driver collided with another vehicle carrying a family of five, plunging them off a bridge and killing three children.

The incident prompted stepped-up roadside spot checks by police, who also plan to stiffen penalties for drunken driving.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Si 4 Life &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What if They Added This to Honda's?</TD></TR></TABLE>

My Si wouldn't have 17,000 mile on it... lol

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Type X &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My Si wouldn't have 17,000 mile on it... lol</TD></TR></TABLE>

Isn't that the truth.

I am sending this article to a friend of mine who had a few drinks and wrecked his Matrix.

 

Wow..... that sounds like a life saver.... and it'd be nice if they not only put it in Honda's, but every car manufacturer. Prevent dumbness

 

I think it would be good if ALL automakers started doing it... otherwise toyota would kinda be shooting itself in the foot seeing as drunks would opt for a different brand. you'd really be suprised at the amount of people that drive plastered, and it they know the car is going to detect this toyota would potentionally lose quite a bit of sales.

either way the concept gets a from me

 

have someone else blow in it

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Michael Bolton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">have someone else blow in it</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by C Squared &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


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That's exactly what popped up in my mind... Get outta my head!

If what Toyota is developing actually comes out, there is no "have someone else blow in it". I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing yet. I'm sure there will be "Horror stories" about the technology when it comes out, with some "victim" suing the company for mental stress and damages when their car stalls in the middle of a freeway during rush hour, when all the alcohol they had in them was some on their hands after bartending...

We'll see how it does I guess, since it will probably arrive sometime soon.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Michael Bolton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">have someone else blow in it</TD></TR></TABLE>
FTW!!!!!!!!

 

Come on!! ....Don't support drunk driving....

 

Not only that.....if it detects alcohol through pupil focus, who's to stop someone from putting on reflective sunglasses?? And define "abnormal steering". It's too broad. I wouldn't want my car to cut off just because I had to swerve suddenly to avoid an accident or obstacles on the road. It's just one more thing that they'll add to the vehicle that can break or malfunction leaving you stuck somewhere.

Bad idea if you ask me.

 

i would definitely agree to this. im a drinker, and when you've had too much, u dont exactly know it. u think u can go out and race ferraris and mercede's in a civic when u are drunk enough. i would do it just to lower my insurance rate and keep me from getting into my car when too drunk. there will still be a way to beat it for those clever drinkers. i say good idea

 

If you drive drunk.. you should die.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by C Squared &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


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quality

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 95turbodteg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i would definitely agree to this. im a drinker, and when you've had too much, u dont exactly know it. u think u can go out and race ferraris and mercede's in a civic when u are drunk enough. i would do it just to lower my insurance rate and keep me from getting into my car when too drunk. there will still be a way to beat it for those clever drinkers. i say good idea </TD></TR></TABLE>

It's both good AND bad. It's kind of an inconvenience for those who don't drink and drive. I say apply it to those who have alcohol related incidents or convictions (DUI, DWI, MIP, open container, etc.).

They've stiffen up the penalties here in Texas quite a bit for DWI violations.

 

Good call on the priors.... but you always have the young ones that go out, drink (underage possibly) and don't know their limit due to in-experience. It may be an inconvenience for everyone if put in all vehicles, but I'd gladly sacrifice a little bit of comfort to save someones life...

 

I see random people family members drink and drive all the time people they just don't care and feel if they only had 2 drinks it dosent matter i have never done this i was always the designated driver

 

I'd probably have to pay more money for cab fares, but I support it.

I'm pretty sure I've driven while legally intoxicated, because I'm not quite sure what puts me over. 2 beers? 4? 8? What if I've been to the club all night and have had only a few drinks when I first got there? But I wouldn't drive if I thought myself or anybody else was in danger.

 

Yeah no offense to family, but drunk drivers =

 

I dunno I think people will find ways to get around it or possibly remove some of the systems. They got their work cut out for them.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by WILD_WILL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I see random people family members drink and drive all the time people they just don't care and feel if they only had 2 drinks it dosent matter i have never done this i was always the designated driver </TD></TR></TABLE>

For designated drivers.

 

I hate being the DD..... but I do appreciate those who don't....

 

this would most likely be found on the lexus LS models...
same as their self parking device which is garbage.
http://www.fquick.com/videos/viewvideo.php?id=520

 

/\ Hah.... f*ing lexus...

 

yeah i don't want anything toyota does added to my civic