Technology Partnership for Preventing Deaths and Injuries on Canadian Roads

New technology is emerging that encompasses a broad spectrum of circumstances that can prevent deaths and injuries on Canadian roads. Not only do we see tremendous advancements in devices designed specifically to stop impaired drivers from starting their vehicles, but technology is also emerging that can verify a valid driver’s license, identify underage and problem drinkers, and record and track driver performance. MADD Canada believes that, in time, advance technology will eliminate impaired driving in Canada. In 2006, representatives from MADD Canada, MADD US, Transport Canada, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Institute for Highway Safety, major automobile manufacturers and technology companies established the Blue Ribbon Panel for the Development of Advanced Alcohol Detection Technology to assess the feasibility of a range of technologies that would prevent impaired driving. The panel is focused on developing technology that prevents drivers whose BAC limit is above a preset limit from starting their vehicles. The technology will not require a breath test and will be virtually invisible to sober drivers. Read more about the Blue Ribbon Panel and emerging technology at the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety website at: http://www.dadss.org/taxonomy/term/8. Currently, the most wide-spread anti-impaired driving device is the alcohol ignition interlock. This device is similar to a breathalyzer and is installed in a vehicle’s dashboard. Before the vehicle can be started, the driver must provide a breath sample. If the reading of the breath sample is over a preset BAC limit, the vehicle will not start. Once the vehicle is started, the interlock device requires the driver to provide breath samples at random pre-set times while the engine is in operation. Many Provinces and Territories in Canada have Alcohol Ignition Interlock Programs. Further information for each Province and Territory can be found in the documents below. Rating the Provinces: The 2006 Report Card (PDF) Rating the Provinces: The 2007 Progress Report (PDF)