The biggest problem with an ignition interlock device today is that they're extremely unreliable. As implemented they are also very intrusive. Granted, they are currently implemented only as part of a punitive measure, so that behavior is partly intentional, but it would be unacceptable for universal adoption.
Probably be better to just make cars do realtime verification of license status before letting someone drive ... but that's only better by comparison; people who never drive drunk will bristle at the heavy regulation.
> Probably be better to just make cars do realtime verification of license status before letting someone drive
A couple in Florida was killed yesterday in the hurricane, though they tried to evacuate, the storm meant that license verification servers were down and their Ford would not start.
> Money spent making the device not suck reduces profit.
That may be true. But it's also possible that measuring blood alcohol with breath tests is never going to work consistently for all people. Breathalyzers are well known for widely variable results between people who have identical BAC.
It doesn't have to be the car companies that do the research and design, it can be state funded (since it will be state mandated) research, design and development and open source/patent-free to manufacture.
If it's meant to be used by everyone (I'm not thinking DUI recidivists, how many people have you seen rationalize driving after a drink or two or six) then make it usable by everyone.
I was thinking breathalyser ignition interlock but yes, probably high rate of false alarm, although we could probably make it far better if used so much, even wireless, wearable... I know higher standards (such as emissions) tend to encourage cheating but dammit I'm tired of people killing each other like this.
I'm also extremely tired of people veering into the fucking bikelane while phoning, texting, hands off talking on the phone, and sometimes (to often) just 'checking' the damn cargo with my two kids inside. So they can get to work 'on time' and spend 15 minutes at the coffee machine. Dammit.
Make it impossible to interact with in a moving object, cut the data and phone, I don't have the answer or a patent but this is killing so many people for very, extremely selfish and stupid reasons...
But since we're OK for the road being some kind of far west, Dashcam it is...
Probably be better to just make cars do realtime verification of license status before letting someone drive ... but that's only better by comparison; people who never drive drunk will bristle at the heavy regulation.