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GHSA Welcomes NHTSA Rulemaking on Impaired Driving Prevention Technology but Urges Additional Action

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December 12, 2023

GHSA supports mandating alcohol detection technology on new passenger vehicles and encouarges NHTSA to finalize its proposed rule to move this forward.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Adam Snider, 202-580-7930, 202-365-8971 (after hours)

Statement by Jonathan Adkins, Chief Executive Officer, Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – GHSA congratulates the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on its announcement to advance a new proposed rulemaking to mandate impaired driving prevention technology on new passenger vehicles, as required by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Of the many critical safety provisions of the IIJA, this requirement for alcohol detection technology has the potential to save the most lives on our roads. More than 13,000 people died in preventable drunk driving crashes in 2021. That’s one death every 39 minutes. The Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking announced today is overdue, cannot be finalized soon enough and should remain a top roadway safety priority.

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About GHSA
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. GHSA provides leadership and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy, enhance program management and promote best practices. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans. Visit ghsa.org for more information or find us on Facebook and X/Twitter.

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