Did you see what they hid in the Infrastructure Bill?

The New Infrastructure Bill Will Require All Cars to Have Alcohol Detection Sensors. President Biden recently signed an infrastructure bill into law that included a requirement for all vehicles to be equipped with passive alcohol Interlock. The law gives automakers two years to implement the change. This means that by 2026, all cars will have alcohol detection sensors and will not be able to start if someone is intoxicated.

What does this mean for drivers?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that the new rule could prevent about 1,000 deaths per year. They also estimate that it would stop nearly 10,000 injuries per year. That’s because alcohol-related crashes account for significant portion of all traffic fatalities in the United States.

But is this law too invasive, and will it cost Americans more? Does this change create room for more invasive measures? If they are willing to pass laws that monitor your blood at the startup of your car, what else can they do in your life?

How does it work?
The technology works by measuring a driver’s blood alcohol content through their skin. If the system detects alcohol, it will prevent the car from starting.

Some people are concerned about privacy. But, automakers say that the system only takes measurements when the ignition is turned on. That means that it’s not constantly monitoring drivers’ blood alcohol levels.

The new rule is a way to try to reduce drunk driving accidents. Technology is not perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction. What do you think about the new rule? Americans did not vote on this, and it seems like the bill snuck it in.