News 12: New infrastructure deal includes mandate for automakers to put anti-DWI technology into cars

Part of President Joe Biden's newly approved infrastructure bill takes steps to combat drunk driving by mandating new technology for cars.

Biden's $1 trillion Investment and Jobs Act includes a mandate for automakers to install monitoring systems to stop drunk drivers in all new vehicles as early as 2026.

Alisa McMorris's only son, Andrew, was killed by a drunk driver in 2018. She and her husband, John McMorris, had lobbied federal lawmakers to get drunk driving prevention technology installed in all vehicles to stop similar tragedies.

The technology is already being installed by automakers, including Volvo. Infrared cameras make sure a driver is watching the road and they look for signs of drowsiness, loss of consciousness or impairment.

If these signs are detected, the cars will sound a warning to the driver. If the behavior continues, the car would turn on its hazard lights, slow down and pull to the side of the road.

Alisa McMorris hopes the mandate will help prevent DWI crashes like the one that took her 12-year-old son's life.