A future where self-driving automobiles grace the roads of Louisiana may be on its way as automakers and technology experts continue to build and test such vehicles. It is hoped that such vehicles will cut down on the number of car accidents, particularly drunk driving accidents. In this respect, one surprising proponent of self-driving vehicle technology is our nation’s alcohol industry.
The wine industry and the wholesale liquor industry have been lobbying for self-driving vehicles. These groups support such technology, as they believe it will cut down on drunk driving accidents. One analyst says this is a win-win for the alcohol industry. This is because having autonomous vehicles on the road could lead to fewer instances of drunk driving and, at the same time, help drive the sale of alcoholic beverages.
In addition, an industry-funded nonprofit organization that aims to reduce instances of people operating a vehicle while intoxicated has given its support of legislation that would speed up the commercialization of autonomous vehicles. Four of the world’s biggest producers of beer and liquor are part of this organization. They support initiatives to keep drunk drivers off the road, in order to increase public safety. They’ve also supported the use of ignition interlock devices and technology that can sense alcohol.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 28 individuals lose their lives each day in drunk driving accidents. This number is simply too high. While it is good that many different industries and organizations are encouraging the development of autonomous vehicles, as of right now people are still being injured or killed in drunk driving accidents. Those who have been injured in such crashes may want to seek legal help, to determine what their options are moving forward.
Source: Los Angeles Times, “Liquor industry is pushing to get self-driving cars on the road,” March 13, 2018