All new cars will be required to be fitted with wiring for breathalysers from 2022 following a decision by the European Council.
The move, which was approved last week, aims to cut down on accidents involving drink driving by stopping those over the limit from getting behind the wheel.
Though there is some uncertainty regarding whether or not the rules will be adopted in the UK following Brexit, Government has previously stated that it would mirror EU legislation regarding road safety.
It will mean that new vehicles will have to be made to fit the breathalyser technology by mid-2022, whereas existing cars have until 2024.
Neil Greig, director of policy and research at IAM RoadSmart, told The Sun: “We see them as a useful tool for repeat drink drive offenders to get them back to safe driving after a ban
“It is very unlikely that the vast majority of the law abiding public will ever have to blow into a tube to start their car.”
Another safety feature set to be introduced in 2022 are speed limiters. These systems use GPS data and local limits from traffic cameras to keep the vehicle within respective speed limits – it can automatically slow the car down.
The tech can, however, be overridden by pushing hard on the accelerator – this is said to be implemented in the case of an emergency.
Greig added: “Speed limiters will still be voluntary so you don’t have to use them but they could save your licence.”
