Auto manufacturer Toyota has announced it is developing a gadget that will prevent intoxicated drivers from starting their cars if they are above the legal limit.
The gadget, which looks similar to a hand-held breath-test device used by police, is also equipped with a digital camera that can photograph a driver’s face for identification purposes.
When a user blows into the device and alcohol is detected, the system warns the driver and can lock the vehicle’s ignition system depending on the level of alcohol detected.
Tests are currently underway with truck manufacturer Hino Motors, with several fleets of company and government cars also being used for test models.
While similar devices already exist, they are not mandatory and are only used in cars of people convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol as part of a sentence.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
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