Connecticut: Driving Innovation to End Drunk Driving
In 2023, Connecticut became the newest state partner of Driven to Protect, an initiative of the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) Research Program which empowers states to join the fight against drunk driving by advancing lifesaving safety technology. Powered by a public-private partnership between the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS), which represents the world’s leading automakers, and the federal government, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Driven to Protect offers states the opportunity to test new alcohol-detection technology on their roads, bringing it closer to widespread commercialization and encouraging consumers to consider advanced sensor technology as a solution to this deadly problem. Driven to Protect | Connecticut represents the state’s commitment to combatting drunk driving through ground-breaking solutions that complement existing, tried-and-true traffic safety initiatives to save lives.
Under the leadership of the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Office of Highway Safety the Driven to Protect | Connecticut initiative will help drive the DADSS technologies towards widespread commercial availability – bringing us closer to a world without drunk driving.
On Road Testing
The DADSS Program is developing a first-of-its-kind alcohol detection technology to measure and precisely quantify when a driver is intoxicated with a BAC at or above 0.08% – the legal limit in most states – and prevent the vehicle from moving. The breakthrough technology is designed to be fast, accurate, reliable, and affordable. And unlike existing alcohol detection technologies, it is not a punitive device, but designed to be seamlessly installed into new vehicles and not affect normal driving behavior.
Recognizing the potential of advanced vehicle technology to save lives, Driven to Protect | Connecticut includes pilot testing of in-vehicle alcohol sensors. A pilot vehicle will be driven by the CT Commissioner of Transportation, Garrett T. Eucalitto. This vehicle deployment will generate real-world operational data and feedback to improve the alcohol sensors. A second “demonstration vehicle” will give Connecticut residents a first-hand look at how the sensors work.
More Resources
Drunk driving remains a significant threat to all Connecticut families and road users. Unfortunately,
Connecticut has experienced a recent increase in drunk driving crashes and deaths – ranking third
nationally for the highest percentage of traffic deaths caused by a drunk driver. By launching the Driven
to Protect | Connecticut Initiative, Connecticut is demonstrating its commitment to innovative solutions
intended to eliminate drunk driving.
Sen. Blumenthal and CTDOT Launch Driven to Protect | Connecticut
Connecticut is stepping up its efforts to end drunk driving by becoming the third state to join the
Driven to Protect Initiative.
