The HALT Act, signed into law on November 15, 2021, directs the federal government to require all new cars come equipped with smart technology that passively, seamlessly and unobtrusively detects and stops impaired driving.
This is a game changer in the battle to prevent roadway deaths and injuries. We are working to change how cars are made so no one ever has to experience the trauma of losing a loved one or being injured by a drunk or impaired driver. On January 6, 2024, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began the regulatory phase, or “rulemaking,” for this lifesaving technology. NHTSA posted an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register and opened a 60-day commenting period, which closed March 6. NHTSA will now review more than 18,000 submissions and work toward a regulation for technology that meets the requirements of the HALT Act.
Read all comments for the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) HERE
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NOVEMBER 15, 2024
The clock is ticking. By November 15, 2024, the USDOT must complete the process of setting a final standard for impaired driving prevention technology.
- The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act gives USDOT three years (from November 15, 2021) to complete a rulemaking process and issue a final safety standard for impaired driving prevention technology on all new cars
- Automakers then have two to three years to implement the safety standard.
- New cars equipped with the USDOT-directed technology should start rolling off the assembly line as standard equipment by 2026 or 2027.
- The National Transportation Safety Board recommendation has called on automakers and USDOT to prioritize the deployment of passive advanced impaired driving prevention technology and explore the use of technologies such as driver monitoring systems, many of which are available now.
Did you know this life-saving technology already exists?
PASSIVE DRUNK DRIVING PREVENTION TECHNOLOGIES
What are Driving Assistance Systems?
Technology designed for the car to take action such as lane-keeping assistance and collision intervention.
What are Driver Monitoring Systems?
Cameras or other sensors that passively monitor the driver, such as eye movement, without compromising privacy.
What are Passive Alcohol Detection Systems?
Sensors that determine if a driver is drunk. This lifesaving technology protects the public's safety while preserving the driver's privacy.
Dozens of traffic safety and public health organizations, representatives from the insurance industry, alcohol industry and thousands of victims and survivors of impaired driving crashes have also advocated for this law.
Here are examples of this support:
Testimonials
The HALT Act became law with the tenacious advocacy victims and survivors on impaired driving, champions in Congress and an extensive and impressive list of partners who are all willing to activate to ensure lifesaving technology become standard equipment on all new cars.
Here are examples of advocates rallying around this movement:
THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA
The news media plays an integral role in educating the public about the HALT Act technology requirement for news cars.
Coverage of the push to equip all new vehicles with impaired driving prevention technology:
