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Using GPS to Discourage Drunk Driving

by Terrence O'Brien on June 29, 2007 at 12:55 PM


After a series of drunk driving accidents in Japan last year, Nissan decided it had to do something about the epidemic of inebriated motorists. The company considered a whole host of options including Breathalyzer-like devices. Finally, yesterday the company unveiled its anti-drunk driving initiative: Every time you turn the car on, the optional GPS displays a message reminding you not to drink and drive.

Yup. That's the big move. That's the how Nissan is going to rid our streets of drunk drivers.

There's a variety of products out there that can prevent you from starting your ignition if you're drunk -- they can even sense if you're drinking while you're driving. Cell phones can even have Breathalyzers built into them. And yet, the best Nissan can muster is a printed message on an optional feature. If your car has GPS, is it such a stretch to imagine it detecting erratic lane changing, or noticing when you repeatedly ignore one-way signs?

Instead, Nissan has delivered the automotive equivalent of mom telling you to behave every time you leave the house. Even Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" campaign had more muscle.

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Tags: breathalyzer, car, drunk, drunk driving, DrunkDriving, nissan

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