Since July 1, all vehicles sold within the European Union must include a standard, pre-installed interface that allows a breathalyzer lock to be added to the ignition system. The measure is part of a larger strategy being developed by the EU to reduce deaths and injuries related to drunk driving by at least 50 percent by 2030.
The demand falls under the Vision Zero plan, launched by European authorities more than five years ago, which aims to eliminate alcohol-related traffic deaths completely—or as close to zero as possible—by 2050. This measure also complies with the timetable established in the EU’s General Safety Regulation, which sets a specific deadline for manufacturers to introduce various safety designs in the automotive industry.
The law, which will become mandatory in July, obliges car manufacturers to provide an electrical connection and reserve space inside the car to allow the installation of an “alcolock” 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 operation of the alcolock is simple. Before starting the car, the driver must call the phone, which measures the level of alcohol present in the breath. If the result exceeds the legal limit, the system, connected to the ignition or the car’s starter, automatically blocks the ignition cycle and prevents the car from starting.
This type of technology is already in use in several European countries, mainly as part of programs aimed at repeat offenders related to alcohol or in certain sectors of professional transport. Official statistics estimate that its use can reduce fatal accidents related to alcohol consumption by up to 65 percent.
Since 2018, the European Union’s road safety program has integrated various technologies to strengthen safe driving. From 2024, new cars include intelligent speed assist, a system that detects the permitted speed limit using cameras or GPS and notifies the driver if he exceeds the limit.
In addition, there is an emergency lane-keeping assistant, which can correct the path when the car deviates without signaling beforehand. Also notable is the event data recorder, popularly known as the “black box,” which stores vital information in the seconds before an accident to facilitate law enforcement and traffic safety agency investigations.
Recently, a requirement has been added to include an adaptive brake light, a device that in the event of sudden braking, turns on the rear lights automatically and strongly to warn other drivers of the need to slow down and avoid collisions.
The obligation to install the on-board breathalyzer interface is the final step in this set of safety measures. From the first day of July, no vehicle will be allowed to leave the sales area within the EU without fully complying with all these requirements.
This story was originally published by WIRED en Español and has been translated from Spanish.
