U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Rick Scott have introduced legislation that would make it mandatory for all new cars and trucks to be equipped with alcohol detection systems.

The Reduce Impaired Driving for Everyone Act of 2019 (RIDE Act) will fund the technology transfer of federally funded research and development of advanced alcohol detection technology that detects whether a driver is impaired over the legal limit and, if so, prevents that driver from starting the car.

The act sets up a pilot program for fleet deployment of vehicles equipped with this technology with the federal General Services Administration, state and local partners, and private fleet owners. It also requests a rulemaking to mandate installment of this technology in every new vehicle.

“The fact is that deaths from drunk driving are completely preventable – so we have an obligation to do everything we can to prevent such senseless tragedies. I’ve been in this fight for a long time, and we’ve made real progress. But we are still losing thousands of lives each year to drunk driving crashes,” said Udall.

“Every drunk driving death is one too many – and one family too many forced to confront unimaginable pain. With this legislation, we have the opportunity to help end drunk driving for good by putting alcohol detection technology in all new motor vehicles. We owe it to those we’ve lost—to honor them with action.”

The bill is supported by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the National Safety Council, and Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety.

“It is heartbreaking that we have lost so many to the irresponsible actions of drunk drivers. Now is the time to act so we never have to experience another tragedy. I’m proud to join Senator Udall to introduce the RIDE Act, which promotes the development of critical alcohol detection technology that could save 7,000 lives every year. One life lost is too many, and this technology will go a long way in protecting our families and communities,” added Scott.