Volvo can stop drunk drivers in their tracks

Drink drivers are one of the biggest dangers on the road today, but this new tech from Volvo could make them obsolete.

New tech could stop drink drivers before they cause any damage.

Reckon you’re still OK to drive after a few drinks?

Your car could soon step in to solve the argument.

Swedish car maker Volvo has developed a system to detect drunk drivers — and it can even stop them driving.

The system uses cameras focused on the driver and other sensors to monitor how the car is being driven.

If it detects things such as a lack of steering input, weaving across lanes or a driver with their eyes closed or on something other than the road it will send warnings to the driver.

If the driver fails to react or change their driving style the car will intervene to reduce the likelihood or severity of a crash.

Volvo says such intervention could involve limiting the top speed or calling the Volvo on Call assistance service to alert an operator, who could then theoretically call emergency services or at least talk to the driver.

Random Breath Tests could be a thing of the past thanks to Volvo’s future tech.

In some situations the car could even slow down and pull off the road, taking all control away from the driver.

“There are many accidents that occur as a result of intoxicated drivers,” says Trent Victor, professor of driver behaviour at Volvo Cars. “Some people still believe that they can drive after having had a drink, and that this will not affect their capabilities. We want to ensure that people are not put in danger as a result of intoxication.”

The distracted and drunk driver system will start rolling out on new Volvos from 2020.

The safety pioneer is increasingly using technology to help avoid crashes, part of a push with next generation models to limit or reduce serious crashes in Volvos.

Volvo has also developed what it calls Care Key, which allows the owner to limit the car’s top speed.

It is designed to be used for sharing the vehicle with friends or family, limiting the car’s speed for young or novice drivers.

Future Volvo’s could stop drink drivers before they cause any harm.

It will start rolling out on model year 2021 Volvos.

Volvo is not the first brand to take advantage of more advanced software options in cars.

Hyundais currently on sale have a system called Auto Link that can warn the owner if the car is driven outside a pre-determined area.

Some older high-performance BMWs limited engine power in some driving modes.

And the Bugatti Chiron — with a top speed of 420km/h — electronically limits its top speed until a second key is used to signal maximum performance.

With the use of a single key the Chiron is limited to a mere 380km/h.