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Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today introduced a new bill to accelerate the implementation of drunk and impaired driving prevention technology in new vehicles. Building upon Dingell’s HALT Act, which was passed in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Deployment of Required Impairment Prevention Vehicle Equipment to Honor the Abbas Family Legacy to Terminate Drunk Driving Act, or DRIVE to HALT Drunk Driving Act, would establish new requirements for automakers to include passive drunk driving technology in new vehicles. 
 
“Drunk and impaired driving has brought so much pain to families and communities across the country, including the Abbas family of Northville, whose lives the HALT Act honors and remembers. We have the technology to prevent drunk driving and save lives, and it’s long past time we include this technology in all new vehicles,” Dingell said. “This legislation is another step toward making commonsense safety equipment standard in new vehicles, which would save thousands of lives every year. It’s been nearly 7 years since the Abbas family was tragically killed – we can’t delay any longer. Not one more family should have to suffer the loss of a loved one due to a drunk driver, and I will keep fighting until we get this done.”
 
“Congresswoman Dingell is a warrior for taking the lead to end the violent and deadly crime of drunk driving. She is once again paving the way to ensure that every car in America is equipped with lifesaving anti-drunk driving technology,” said Rana Abbas Taylor. “I’m beyond grateful for her tenacity and commitment to end this preventable crime in honor of my family.”
 
“The National Consumers League applauds the introduction of the DRIVE to HALT Drunk Driving Act, which is a critical step forward in protecting families on our roadways. The legislation will require major manufacturers to implement life-saving drunk and impaired driving prevention technology in tens of thousands of new vehicles annually,” said Sally Greenberg, CEO of the National Consumers League. “Based on NHTSA data, more than 12,000 deaths and nearly 400,000 serious injuries occurred in 2023 due to impaired driving. This proactive measure will undoubtedly save many lives and begin to address the tragic and preventable crisis of drunk driving.”
 
Specifically, the bill requires automakers to produce vehicles equipped with Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) and Euro NCAP-compliant driver monitoring systems, with updated Euro NCAP standards automatically incorporated unless deemed unsafe by NHTSA. It also provides NHTSA with civil penalty and recall authority for violations and clarifies that these provisions sunset once the HALT Act rule takes effect.
 
Dingell initially introduced the Honoring Abbas Family Legacy to Terminate (HALT) Drunk Driving Act in remembrance of the Abbas family of Michigan, who were senselessly killed by a drunk driver in January 2019.