Lawmakers Seek Mandatory Alcohol Detectors in Cars by 2024

We all know drinking and driving is bad. Nationwide, nearly 11,000 deaths were attributed to DUI driving in 2017.  Montana ranked 6th on the list of DUI deaths per capita.  While the drunk driving deaths and accidents are trending downward (slightly) it's still a huge issue.

A bill co-sponsored by Sens. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) called the Reduce Impaired Driving for Everyone Act, or RIDE Act, aims for a goal of having some form of mandatory passive alcohol sensing/testing devices in all new cars by 2024.

The goal seems lofty, as the technology still needs a fair amount of development to be practical in just five short years. Automakers seem to push back on things that will add extra costs to their vehicles (think mandatory air bags).

I usually have mixed opinions about the government forcing "mandatory" things on me, but it's pretty tough to argue this one. It's not the same as forcing everyone to wear seat belts. If you don't want to wear your seat belt, you really only risk hurting yourself. Drinking and driving puts EVERYONE at risk.

Let us know in the Comments how you feel about mandatory alcohol sensors in cars.