NHTSA works toward impaired driving prevention standard

This ANPRM will help gather information about the state of technology to detect impaired driving, about how to deploy technology safely and effectively, and will provide other information to further the agency’s work as the research and technology advances to the level to develop a standard to prevent driver impairment.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law directs NHTSA to issue a final rule establishing a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard that requires new passenger vehicles to have “advanced drunk and impaired driving prevention technology.” The law says that NHTSA should issue a new regulation only if it meets the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, which states that a proposed standard must be reasonable, practicable, and reduce traffic crashes and associated deaths, among other factors.

Crashes and fatalities from impaired driving are completely preventable, yet alcohol-impaired fatalities in December hit a nearly 15-year high in 2021. The holiday season is an especially deadly time, with more than 1,000 people killed in drunk driving crashes in December 2021 alone.

To continue to educate drivers throughout the holiday season, NHTSA will be promoting the following messages: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. Drive High, Get a DUI. The campaign is supported by a $14 million national media buy, which includes TV, radio, and digital ads in English and Spanish. The agency is also debuting new English and Spanish TV advertisements focusing on alcohol-impaired driving.

As part of high-visibility enforcement efforts, law enforcement officers nationwide will be going the extra mile in their communities from Dec. 13 through Jan. 1 to get impaired drivers off the roads, with efforts such as sobriety checkpoints and community outreach.

Driving impaired by any substance alcohol or other drugs, whether the substance is legal or illegal, is against the law in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. To prevent unnecessary tragedies, NHTSA urges everyone to plan, especially when celebrating the holidays, and to never drive drunk or high. Instead, designate a sober driver, use public transportation, or call a ride-hailing service or taxi, many communities have sober ride programs available during the holidays. Anyone who sees an impaired driver on the road should call 911.