Let’s Stop Impaired Driving
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
United States
October 26, 2015 11:41am CST
When I heard about the recent horrible accident at the Oklahoma parade it reminded me of a similar accident at an open air market in Santa Monica, California a few years ago. I have read that the Oklahoma driver was either drunk, on drugs or emotionally distraught. In the case of the Santa Monica driver, he was just too old to be behind the wheel.
Why don’t we stop expecting people who are too impaired to drive to be mentally competent enough to know they should not drive? Let’s stop expecting rational thought from irrational people. As long as human beings drive cars, there will be events in their lives that make them unsafe drivers.
Let’s hire some really smart engineers to design a device that will judge the competence of the driver (sober and not emotionally distraught) before starting the car. I’m not an engineer, but I envision something built into the dashboard, perhaps with a sensor and a push button device that will register sobriety and dexterity.
I believe in hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst. A device like this one, on every car, would prevent hundreds of accidents each year, countless ruined lives and endless heartache.
16 people like this
13 responses
@DeborahDiane (40844)
• Laguna Woods, California
27 Oct 15
I saw on "60 Minutes" that within 5 years they expect to have self-driving cars that are commercially available. I know it will take a few years for these to become common, but I hope it will be a step in the right direction for the future. I know we will never completely eliminate accidents and that self-driving cars could mess up occasionally. However, I think that overall there would be far fewer accidents if smart cars did the driving for most of us. There are too many incompetent drivers on the road. Perhaps our grandchildren will be safer.
5 people like this
@antonbunot (11146)
• Calgary, Alberta
27 Oct 15
O, by that time (5 years from now) I will be retired and may drink again - - and let the car drive me safely home!
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
28 Oct 15
@antonbunot That would be a helpful situation, especially since it would take you right to your front door, unlike public transport (if any exists where you live).
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
27 Oct 15
They would be helpful in many situations. I hope they have them when I reach the age that driving is no longer wise.
1 person likes this
@Sheilamarie78 (2586)
• Canada
26 Oct 15
My mother decided on her own that she wouldn't drive anymore in her eighties. I was proud of her for making that choice.
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
27 Oct 15
She must be a wise woman. Not all people who reach this stage in life want to admit they should not drive.
1 person likes this
@Sheilamarie78 (2586)
• Canada
27 Oct 15
@ElizabethWallace She's realistic and humble. Still, it was a hard decision for her.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91041)
• United States
28 Oct 15
My aunt & uncle are in their 80s and still drive from upstate NY to Florida twice a year. It amazes me how they still manage to do that trip but luckily they are in good health and their driving doesn't seem impaired
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
29 Oct 15
Too bad horrible accidents are treated as entertainment by the media. Perhaps if it was someone in their family whose life was ruined or cut short, they would put the correct spin on the issue.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
27 Oct 15
I am sure that drunks would find a way to out smart the sensor but I wish there was such a thing.
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
27 Oct 15
That part already exists. Some people are required to use them, and have tried to outsmart the device by having others in the car start it for them. Those people were caught and jailed.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54715)
• United States
28 Oct 15
That would surely be a life saving device.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
29 Oct 15
Seat belts save thousands of lives each year. This would too.
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
27 Oct 15
yes ma'am, 'tis a shame such don't exist. but, then how'd one retro-fit the auto's already owned?
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
27 Oct 15
@ElizabethWallace yes ma'am, 'n open 'nother government agency to watchdog it, makin' inspections mandatory 'n the like coz folks'd be disablin' 'em so they could drive anyhow 
. shame folks don't put more thought 'fore gettin' in 'n drivin' a 3,000 plus killin' machine, aint it?
. shame folks don't put more thought 'fore gettin' in 'n drivin' a 3,000 plus killin' machine, aint it?2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
27 Oct 15
If they can add CD players and other electronic equipment, they could add this too.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
29 Oct 15
@crazyhorseladycx Yes, and the auto makers have done quite a bit to make people think they are on the sofa in their living rooms instead of behind the wheel. Entertainment centers in cars? Horrible idea. Just Drive!
@suziecat7 (3349)
• Asheville, North Carolina
27 Oct 15
It's an interesting idea. Maybe they need to get those self-driving cars on the road soon. Computers don't get drunk. :))
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
27 Oct 15
This makes really good sense. This is especially true in area with little or no public transportation.
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
29 Oct 15
A smart car capable of breathalysing its driver and refusing to start unless complied with is a good idea
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
2 Nov 15
@ElizabethWallace yes being upset will cause our feelings and tears to blind both eyes and senses
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
3 Nov 15
@arthurchappell Strong emotions can turn the mind off. Not a good thing when driving.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
1 Nov 15
Yes, but I would like it to go further. You can be impaired for other reasons than drinking.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54180)
• Louisville, Kentucky
7 Nov 15
@ElizabethWallace I agree and it would be a logical solution.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
7 Nov 15
@simone10 Which is why it probably will never happen. It makes too much sense.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
1 Nov 15
I don't know. It would certainly stop lots of pain and suffering.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
27 Oct 15
It would be annoying at first, just like when we all learned to fasten our seat belts. But we learned and saved thousands of lives.
@lookatdesktop (27156)
• Dallas, Texas
30 Mar 16
Simple, give the driver a pass code and a set of questions like they give you in psych clinic. If he is unable to do this no driving today buddy! 3 strikes and he's on foot.
@Pattitude (1286)
• Newton, North Carolina
4 Nov 15
They have something like that for some drivers who have a history of impairment.
