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

As of July 1, All vehicles sold within the European Union must have a standard interface pre-installed that allows a breathalyzer interlock 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 programme, launched by European authorities more than five years ago, which aims to completely eliminate alcohol-related traffic accident deaths – or get as close to zero as possible – by 2050. The measure is also in line with the timeline set in the EU’s General 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.

Operating an alcohol lock is simple. 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 recorder, known as the “black box,” which stores essential information in the seconds before an accident to facilitate investigations by law enforcement and traffic safety agencies.

Recently, a requirement has been added for the integration of adaptive brake light, a mechanism that automatically and intensively, 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 en Español and was translated from Spanish.