RE: New car technology can stop drunks from driving
It was July of 1970 that I attended the International Auto Show in Tokyo Japan. In addition to the race wining Fairlady Z (Datsun 240Z), there was a Honda (well, I piece of a frame of a Honda) on display with this cute demonstrator showing Honda's latest feature. What was it? An alcohol detector hidden somewhere in the dash of the vehicle. When you inserted the key, the detector scan the driver and passenger area for alcohol. If it did register alcohol levels above the legal limits (set for Point of Sale (POS)); it would not allow the engine to start (either by key or hot wiring). It also made random sweeps of the driver/passenger area when it was in operation. It it detected above legal limits while the car was in operation, it would sound a warning buzzer 3 minutes before shutting off the engine. This was a working prototype (parameters could be changed at the factory for POS) demonstrated by the cutie and a bottle of wine (she didn't drink it only poured it into an open glass inside the car).
That was 1970; so why didn't Honda put it in production? No one wanted it! Unless it was law mandated no one would buy it. Bars and establishments with alcohol on their menus would definitely try to lobby against it.
Why would 2011 be any different. I know it will save thousands of lives around the world but since when did that matter to individuals with a taste for drink? I am really surprised that Honda did not patent their process regardless or maybe they did.
-shujin
