Until July 1, all cars sold within European Union must include a standard, pre-installed interface that allows the ventilator lock to be added to the ignition system. This move is part of a larger strategy promoted by the European Union to reduce deaths and injuries related to drunk driving by at least 50 percent by 2030.
The requirements are under the Vision Zero plan, launched by European authorities more than five years ago, which aims eliminate alcohol-related traffic deaths completely—or get as close to zero as possible—by 2050. The move is also in line with the schedule set out in the European Union’s General Safety Regulations, which lays down specific deadlines for manufacturers to incorporate various safety features into vehicle designs, starting from the factory.
The regulation, which will become mandatory in July, obliges car manufacturers to provide an electrical connection and reserve space inside the car to allow the installation of an “alcolock” device. This device must comply with the European standard EN 50436 for Alcohol Ignition Interceptors and have a certificate issued by an authorized certification body.
The operating alcolock it’s easy. Before starting the car, the driver must blow into the device, which measures the amount of alcohol present in the breath. If the result exceeds the legal limit, the system, which is connected to the ignition or starting mechanism of the vehicle, automatically blocks the ignition cycle and prevents the vehicle from starting.
This type of technology is already in operation in several European countries, mainly as part of programs aimed at reoffending alcohol-related offenders or in certain sectors of professional travel. Official statistics estimate that its implementation can reduce fatal accidents linked to alcohol consumption by up to 65 percent.
Since 2018, the EU road safety program has included different technologies to enhance safe driving. By 2024, new cars will include smart speed assist, a system that detects the permitted speed limit using a camera or GPS and alerts the driver when the limit is exceeded.
In addition, there is an assistant to maintain the emergency lane, which can adjust the trajectory when the car leaves without a previous signal. Also worth noting is the event data recorder, popularly known as the “black box,” which stores important information during the seconds before the crash facilitating law enforcement and road safety agency investigations.
Recently, the requirement was increased to include a dynamic brake light, a mechanism that, in the event of sudden braking, automatically and strongly turns on the rear lights to warn other drivers of the need to slow down and avoid a collision.
The responsibility of installing the respirator interface on board is the final step in this set of safety measures. From the first day of July, no vehicle will be allowed to leave the market within the European Union without fully complying with all these requirements.
This story was originally published by WIRED in Spanish and translated from Spanish.
