SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois State Police says some of the money in the federal infrastructure bill signed in to law a few months ago should help troopers in their ongoing goal of reducing fatal traffic crashes.
ISP director Brendan Kelly says one federal mandate in the legislation will help how vehicles are made, and help reduce drunk driving crashes.
“The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will be developing a standard to take effect in the next three years that will require all passenger vehicles manufactured in the future to be equipped with advanced drunk and impaired driving prevention technology,” said Kelly.
Kelly says it must be implemented by February of 2027.
He says outside lane monitoring and assist cameras are also supposed to be a reality by that time.
Kelly says he knows the technology won’t be perfect, but it’s better than nothing.
“I think what people may be missing and why this is so important here is how significant of a change this will be to the dynamic that we see where people are driving under the influence of alcohol and other controlled substances,” said Kelly.
Kelly says much of the technology in cars now had to be refined over time — seat belts, for instance.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving has also come out in support of the vehicle changes.
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