The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States – DISCUS and Responsibility.org announced support for the bipartisan Reduce Impaired Driving for Everyone Act. The groups applaud the leadership of sponsor Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) and lead cosponsor Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) in introducing the bill.
Chris R. Swonger President and CEO of both organizations said, “We urge Congress to swiftly pass the legislation, noting it could help eliminate drunk driving by including advanced drunk driving prevention technology into new vehicles. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, more than 9,400 lives could be saved each year once this technology is installed in all vehicles.”
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The RIDE Act would expand the nation’s ongoing efforts to develop effective and unobtrusive automotive technology. The legislation would establish a regulatory process to test advanced technology, determine its feasibility, and ultimately help ensure installation of this lifesaving technology throughout new vehicles.
“DISCUS and Responsibility.org are dedicated to eliminating drunk and impaired driving from America’s roadways,” said Swonger. “We know bold, innovative approaches are required to reduce crashes and save lives. The technology that this legislation would help bring to American automobiles, including alcohol detection technology, camera technology, and driver monitoring systems, is fundamental to preventing impaired driving fatalities in the future.”
Traffic deaths involving drivers impaired by multiple substances are on the rise, according to Swonger—who stated that new technology ultimately may help prevent drunk, drugged, and multiple substance-impaired driving, as well as distracted driving and fatigued driving. The RIDE Act (and its House companion, the HALT Act) would help implement these lifesaving technologies that also address driving behavior for law-abiding citizens.
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