Schumer Pushes To Accelerate Development Of New Technology That Prevents Drunk Drivers From Driving; Technology Would Disable Ignition Of Driver Was Above Blood Alcohol Limit; In Light Of So Many Deaths In NY & Recent Li Tragedy, Legislation Is Even More Of A Necessity

Press Release

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, today, pushed new legislation called the ROADS SAFE Act which would accelerate the development of new technology that would prevent drunk drivers from running their car by disabling the ignition if the driver is found to be above the legal blood alcohol limit. The technology works by utilizing sensors equipped with touch or non-invasive breath technology that can detect when a driver is over the legal limit in less than a second, and would prevent the car from moving. With the technology developed into a working model, Schumer says the next step is for it to be road ready and is calling for the passage of legislation that would help accomplish this goal in the wake of a tragic DWI-related crash on Long Island, in addition to the thousands of alcohol-impaired driving crashes that happen in New York and around the country each year that snuff out the lives of thousands. The tragic LI crash killed four innocent young women last weekend.

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), every two minutes a person is injured in a drunk driving crash and on average two in three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime. Schumer's ROADS SAFE Act co-sponsored legislation will direct funding for the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) technology. Schumer said this critical legislation will help adapt the new technology so it can fit into cars and be affordable for use.

"All it takes is one drunk driver to rip apart a family, which we unfortunately saw this past week when four innocent young women were tragically killed on Long Island. Drunk driving is a scourge that takes a toll on countless families and communities across the country and that's why we need a new, innovative approach to keep our kids safe and our families intact. Use of sensible technology like DADSS could spare lives and families in the future. That's why I'm putting my full weight behind this legislation and urging Congress to commit to making sure this technology is fully developed in due time. Increased funding will make sure the technology can fit into cars and be affordable for everyone to use," said Senator Schumer.

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