A car that gets testy with drunkards

TOKYO: Motorists tempted to get behind the wheel after one alcoholic drink too many could soon get a ticking off from an unlikely source — their car.

Nissan Motor Co on Friday announced a new concept car packed with technologies to deter driving while under the influence of alcohol. Inside the gear stick knob is a highly sensitive odor sensor.

If alcohol is detected in the perspiration on a driver's palm the vehicle is immobilised and a voice warns against drink driving along with a message on the navigation system monitor.

Odour sensors are also incorporated into the driver and passenger seats and if alcohol is detected in the air inside the cabin a warning is given. A camera also detects drowsiness and issues alerts as well as tugging the seatbelt.

Nissan is also testing a new on-board breathalyser that will prevent inebriated motorists from starting up their cars as part of industry wide research into ways to reduce drink driving.

Rivals Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co are also researching anti-drink driving systems, said Credit Suisse auto analyst Koji Endo.

Other carmakers with detection systems include Sweden's Volvo, which has developed technology in which drivers blow into a measuring unit in the seat belt before an engine can start. "Everybody's concern nowadays is with safety and environmental issues," Endo said.

But the technology still seems unlikely to become widely used as it was doubtful that the government would make it compulsory, Endo added.

Japan has been cracking down on drink driving since a high-profile incident last year in which a drunk public official smashed into another car, killing three children.

The Asian economic giant has strict anti-drink driving laws and the legal limit for drivers is 0.15 milligrammes of alcohol per litre of blood.

Nissan's technology is still in development, but general manager Kazuhiro Doi says the combination of detection systems will ultimately keep an eye on who's behind the wheel.

(http://www.timesofindia.com)