( Worlcarfans ) - Today Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announced that it will, in cooperation with authorities in Japan, begin testing a new technology aimed at preventing drunk-driving.
The technology builds on an on-board breathalyser system that disables the ignition, when a high level of alcohol is found in the driver& apos;s breath. The tests will examine the alcohol-detection reliability and the functionality and practicality of the breathalyser in standard daily-operating vehicles.
Nissan has stated that it "will use these test results to further its research and development in preventive drink-driving technology" but whether on-board breathalysers will be standard equipment in future cars, remains to be seen. In June, Nissan also stated that it will incorporate a "message alert against drunk-driving into its CARWINGS navigation systems." Amongst Saab and Volvo breathalyzer devices also being developed, Nissan is the self proclaimed leader in the campaign against drunk-driving. The question is whether many other manufacturers will jump on the PR bandwagon or truly develop a device that has little or no realistic applications?