Nissan is developing technologies for its vehicles that will determine the alcohol impairment of a driver.

These systems include odor detectors in the front seats that determine alcohol levels and a sensor on the gear lever that measures the amount of perspiration on the drivers hand. Nissan has also created a camera which is mounted in a car and is able to determine the drivers alertness by scanning their eyes. If these systems determine that the driver’s impairment exceeds acceptable levels audible warnings can be issued and even the ignition can be locked up if necessary.

Nissan is not the first car company developing such systems other car manufacturers are also working on technologies to prevent drunk driving. Volvo, for example, is working on a seatbelt that has a built-in Breathalyzer-like device which the driver must blow into before they can operate the car.

Nissan is still working on these technologies and stated that some combination of these systems would eventually come to the market.

[source:Reuters]

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