> It's totally plausible to me that this kind of nudge will save a lot of lives.

I think an in-car breathalyzer which gates the ignition would also save a lot of lives.

Most people agree that kind of manufactured paternalism is an overreach and would be against its introduction. Other people say the same about the diverted driving detector, and I imagine others said the same about the seatbelt sensor.

The intersection of personal freedom and personal safety is an interesting topic, I don't think there's a right answer and it's ultimately pretty subjective.

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throw2ih020 2 hours ago | parent | next [-]

> I think an in-car breathalyzer which gates the ignition would also save a lot of lives.

> Most people agree that kind of manufactured paternalism is an overreach and would be against its introduction.

Congress already passed a law in 2021 to start the process of requiring alcohol impairment detection in new cars around 2030 - the HALT Drunk Driving Act. It had broad, bipartisan support. I would say "most people agree" does not appear to be the case.

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hparadiz 25 minutes ago | parent [-]

I have a hard time believing that the public at large is gonna be okay with having to blow into a hose anytime they turn on their cars.

	▲	awakeasleep 3 minutes ago \| parent [-]
		The law only specifies the outcome (alcohol detection) not the implementation (hose blowing)

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Gigachad 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

It only sounds like overreach because we have become numb to an incredible amount of killing from distracted drivers.

	▲	mattrighetti an hour ago \| parent \| next [-]
		Did a quick research and saw that in 2024 there were around 12k deaths in which one or more drunk drivers were involved. Doesn’t seem like much for a country with around 350 million people. In comparison, drug causes 7x those deaths. Cancer and heart diseases even more.
	▲	lettergram 15 minutes ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		> incredible amount of killing from distracted drivers > 1.10 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/trumps-transpor... For reference, fatalities on bikes: > 9.32 fatalities per 100 million cyclist miles (6 deaths per 100M kilometers) https://www.calbike.org/urban-transportation-research-bike-f...

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austin-schick 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

I think I'd consider this kind of technology at the intersection of personal freedom and _public_ safety. Drunk or distracted driving puts others at risk, not just you.