All vehicles sold in the European Union must be able to be connected to a breathalyzer

As of July 1, All vehicles sold within European Union Must include a pre-installed standard interface that allows a breathalyzer lock to be added to the ignition system. The measure is part of a larger strategy promoted by the European Union to reduce deaths and injuries related to drink driving by at least 50 percent by 2030.

This requirement falls within the Vision Zero program, which was launched by the European authorities more than five years ago, which aims to Eliminate deaths resulting from alcohol-related traffic accidents fully – or as close to zero as possible – by 2050. This measure is also in line with the timeline set out in the EU Public Safety Regulation, which sets Specific deadlines For manufacturers to incorporate various safety features into vehicle designs, starting at the factory.

The regulation, which will become mandatory in July, requires car manufacturers to provide an electrical connection and reserve space inside the car to allow the installation of an “alcohol lock” device. This device must comply with the European standard EN 50436 for alcohol ignition interlocks and have a certificate issued by an authorized certification body.

the Turn on alcohol lock basic. Before starting the car, the driver must blow into a device that measures the level of alcohol in the breath. If the result exceeds the legal limit, the system connected to the vehicle’s ignition or starting mechanism automatically stops the ignition cycle and prevents the vehicle from starting.

This type of technology is already operating in several European countries, mainly as part of programs targeting alcohol-related repeat offenders or in specific sectors of occupational transport. Official figures estimate that its application could reduce fatal accidents linked to alcohol consumption by up to 65 percent.

Since 2018, the European Union Road Safety Program has integrated various technologies to promote safe driving. From 2024, new vehicles will integrate Intelligent Speed ​​Assist, a system that detects the maximum permitted speed using cameras or GPS and alerts the driver when the limit is exceeded.

In addition, there is the emergency lane keeping assistant, which is able to correct the lane when the car swerves without prior indication. Also worth noting is the event data logger, known as the “black box,” which stores basic information during the event Seconds before the accident occurred To facilitate traffic safety and law enforcement agency investigations.

Recently, a requirement has been added for the integration of adaptive brake light, a mechanism that automatically and intensely, in the event of sudden braking, activates the rear lights to warn other drivers of the need to slow down and avoid a collision.

The obligation to install an interface to the on-board breathalyzer is the final step in this set of safety measures. From the first day of July, no vehicle will be allowed to leave a dealership within the European Union without fully complying with all these requirements.

This story was originally published by WIRED in Spanish It was translated from Spanish.