By Satnam
According to the CDC, there has never been a greater need for better road safety measures given the startling numbers of the 1.35 million road fatalities that occur worldwide each year. In the current scenario, technology has become a revolutionary force, with artificial intelligence (AI) at the forefront of the movement to entirely transform driving safety. With AI being incorporated into cars, the automotive industry is going through a paradigm shift that will lead to automobiles being safer than ever. The development of artificial intelligence represents a significant advancement in reducing accidents caused by human error, such as self-driving cars and advanced algorithms that identify possible threats instantaneously. As this technology advances, the emphasis shifts to addressing the dangers of drunk driving, with AI-based monitoring systems being a potential step towards a safer, technologically empowered future on the roads.
Here’s a look at several AI-enabled innovations to reduce drunk driving-
Sensors for Alcohol Detection
This cutting-edge device, which blends in perfectly with the car’s shift knob, can detect the amount of alcohol a driver’s perspiration contains by palm contact. When the driver tries to start the car after the amount of alcohol found in the system is higher than allowed, the system immediately locks up the gearbox and sounds an alarm. An alternative uses fingerprint activation to prevent a person from entering the car if alcohol is detected through a keypad that has been designed for that purpose. Additional improvements include seat sensors that track the amount of alcohol in the air within the car and initiate visual and auditory alarms for the occupants. It is intended that later versions would include motor skill testing, where drivers will have to finish previously determined tasks in order to verify sobriety before starting the car. These advancements in technology constitute a comprehensive strategy to reduce drunk driving and improve road safety.
AI-Enabled Detection Systems
This innovation is related to an alcohol detection system in which the driver’s sobriety is determined by a sensor mounted in the car. If the sensor detects intoxication, the ignition system activates, stopping the driver from starting the vehicle. Identifying the concerning pattern of people operating vehicles while intoxicated, endangering both themselves and other people, this system takes a preventive approach. Furthermore, comprehensive driver alcohol tests are required before driving to verify sobriety; authorization to drive is only granted if the test results are satisfactory. This methodical procedure has the potential to save lives in addition to reducing drunk driving-related incidents. The technology is an important development in improving road safety, as it minimizes the dangerous effects of driving while intoxicated.
Facial Monitoring System
One of the state-of-the-art systems is designed to identify alcohol-induced drowsiness when driving. Through the use of a camera mounted on the instrument panel, the system automatically adjusts its calibration according to the driver’s usual blinking pattern when sober. The technology improves situational awareness by alerting the driver through visual cues and auditory alarms when it detects drowsiness. The driver’s seat belt tightens as an added attention-grabbing device. Similar to the previous system, this one keeps track of driving performance, tightens the seat belt, and signals an alert if the car unintentionally drifts into another lane. These advanced controls actively intervene to reduce potential risks connected with driving while intoxicated or sleepy, in addition to placing a high priority on safety.
Ignition Interlock Devices
As a preventative step, ignition interlock devices (IIDs) require drivers to use a car breathalyzer to confirm sobriety before initiating the vehicle. Often used in many states, these devices effectively stop those with DUI convictions from driving while intoxicated by acting as a deterrent. Their simplicity, which eliminates the need for direct police enforcement, is a significant advantage. IIDs serve as a preventive barrier, removing the potential threat from the onset, by automatically detecting alcohol levels and forbidding ignition in the presence of intoxication. This simplified method reduces the need for ongoing police presence while also protecting against drunk driving, increasing the effectiveness of reducing the risks associated with it.
AI Redefining Road Safety!
AI-powered technologies are a ray of hope in the field of road safety, particularly when it comes to the widespread challenge of drunk driving. These developments, which range from face monitoring and ignition interlock devices to alcohol detection sensors, create a comprehensive defence against drunk driving. Therefore, AI integration not only reduces accidents but also acts as a game-changer for saving lives as technology leads the way towards a safer future for drivers.
The author is professor, Lovely Professional Univerity
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