New cars in the U.S. may require alcohol detection systems by 2026

New legislation may require new cars sold in the U.S. to have passive alcohol detection systems by 2026. This follows a tragic crash in 2021 that highlighted the dangers of impaired driving, resulting in multiple fatalities. The National Transportation Safety Board advocates for these systems, which are still in development. They aim to monitor drivers' alcohol levels unobtrusively and prevent vehicles from operating if intoxication is detected. Concerns have been raised about data privacy related to these systems. Current state laws require breath tests for DUI offenders, while new technology aims to provide continuous monitoring without driver interference.