NHTSA Section 24220-Does This Scare You?        

As soon as next year, if the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has its way, you car could determine if you are OK to drive.  Your car could decide if you’ve had too much to drink, or if you are impaired otherwise.  This could commandeer your vehicle with you behind the wheel, pull you over, and call the police.  The system can serve as a kill-switch of sorts.

A gazillion questions race through my mind.  What if it malfunctions?  How much will this add to the cost of already expensive vehicles?  If your car senses some kind of impairment, is the information recorded and could it be used against you later?  Even if the system works 99.99% correctly, that .01% equates to hundreds of drivers every single day.

Is this a great way to make roads safer, or is this the biggest invasion of privacy on four wheels yet?  You be the judge: I’m just going to tell you about Section 24220 so you can be aware of it and follow it if you wish.

What Is NHTSA Section 24220—and Why It’s About to Change Your Car

If you've never heard of Section 24220, you’re not alone. It’s a small section that was buried in the massive 2021 infrastructure law, but it could bring big changes to how cars detect—and respond to—drunk or distracted driving.

In short: this federal rule is pushing us toward a future where new cars may be required to monitor your alertness and step in if something’s wrong.

Eyes on the Road, Hands on the Wheel

Section 24220 directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to develop regulations requiring "advanced drunk and impaired driving prevention technology" in all new passenger vehicles. The deadline? As early as 2026, yes-right around the corner.

But we’re not talking about old-school breathalyzers or police checkpoints. Instead, we’re looking at passive systems—think interior cameras tracking eye movement, sensors in the steering wheel, or software analyzing erratic driving patterns. These features would detect if a driver is intoxicated, asleep, or otherwise not in control—and the car could respond by warning you, slowing down, or even pulling over.

Sound futuristic? Some of this is already here. GM’s Super Cruise and Ford’s BlueCruise use driver-facing cameras today. But under Section 24220, that kind of tech could become standard—not optional.

Why Now?

The timing isn’t random. Drunk driving deaths jumped to over 13,000 fatalities in 2021 alone. With that many lives at stake, federal regulators are betting that onboard monitoring could stop tragedies before they happen.

It’s a bold safety move—but it’s also raising eyebrows.

The Privacy Question

One big concern? Surveillance. If your car is watching your eyes and tracking your every move behind the wheel… who else might be watching? Could this data be stored, shared, or even sold? And how accurate will it be?

Critics worry about false positives (what if your glasses slip and your car thinks you’re falling asleep?) and whether drivers will have any say in how the system behaves.

Regulators say these systems will be "passive" and non-invasive—but those details are still being hashed out. Expect more public debate as the rollout nears.

What’s Next?

NHTSA is currently studying which technologies meet the bill. A formal rule could be issued soon, with implementation beginning in 2026 if all goes to plan.

For automakers, this means investing heavily in interior sensors, software, and fail-safes. For drivers, it could mean safer roads—but also a car that keeps a closer eye on you than ever before.

Whether you’re for it, against it, or just curious, Section 24220 is something to keep on your radar. The days of the truly "dumb" car may be numbered.

States Adopt Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) Laws to Curb Reckless Driving

In a significant move to enhance road safety, several U.S. states are enacting laws mandating the installation of Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) systems in vehicles operated by drivers with histories of dangerous driving behaviors. These systems utilize GPS and speed limit data to prevent vehicles from exceeding legal speed limits.​

Virginia has recently passed legislation requiring repeat reckless drivers to equip their vehicles with ISA devices. Similarly, Georgia has authorized judges to mandate speed-limiting technology for individuals involved in egregious violations such as street racing. Washington, D.C., was a pioneer in this initiative, implementing similar requirements in 2024. Maryland is also considering a pilot program targeting drivers with suspended or revoked licenses due to speeding offenses. 

These legislative efforts are inspired by the success of ignition interlock devices used to deter impaired driving. Advocacy groups like Families for Safe Streets have been instrumental in promoting ISA technology as a means to reduce traffic fatalities. ​

On the federal level, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is evaluating ISA systems and plans to update its Speed Management guidelines in 2025.  While some states are taking proactive measures, others, like California, have faced challenges. Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have required new vehicles to emit alerts when exceeding speed limits, citing potential conflicts with federal regulations. ​

As ISA technology gains traction, these state-level initiatives may serve as a blueprint for broader adoption, aiming to mitigate speeding-related accidents and enhance overall road safety.

Photo: Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) Program launches Driven to Protect | Connecticut  (2023). DADSS Program partners include NHTSA. Credit: DADSS.