Saab AlcoKey to be Tested on Swedish Roads

Sweden has one of the best road safety records in Europe, but drinking and driving remains a serious hazard, accounting for about 35 per cent of all crash fatalities in Sweden last year (2005). Now Saab is ready for field trials in 100 cars of its innovative Saab AlcoKey, a simple, reusable device that fits conveniently in the pocket or handbag.

As compact as a small mobile phone, the Saab AlcoKey module incorporates a cap covering a mouthpiece where the driver provides a breath sample before starting the car. A radio transmitter then sends a signal to the car’s electronic control unit, which will either allow the car to be started or remain immobilized if the breath sample is found to contain alcohol above the permitted legal level.

Read "Saab AlcoKey Helps Drivers" @ World Car Fans

ummm... ok. So you at least have to have a sober person nearby... Is this meant for offenders? IDK, it just feels like a half-baked solution to a serious problem.

I can think of a few scenarios where this key would fail, basically revolving around "How does the key know who is going to drive the car?"

What if the drunken vehicle owner passes the key to a sober person (as mentioned above) to breathe into the thing. Granted there are serious moral issues raised there (This guy is drunk; do I really want to be responsible for the consequences of his hazardous driving?).

What if the drunken driver wants someone else to drive the car home once he realizes he's still drunk? Does the car remain in lockdown? And if it does, what if you're sober and some drunken a--hole wants to screw you out of getting home by breathing into the thing while you're not paying attention? Will the car then remain in lockdown despite your sobriety?

So, be prepared for tanked winos stumbling around saying, "Dude, blow my key."

Last time I checked, SAAB drivers don't party. We have friends down south who both drive SAAB's and their idea of a wild time is a scoop of real coffee in with the decaf.

Last time I checked, SAAB drivers don't party.

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Dinner party, perhaps? The ones where people discuss the latest musicals and critique art galleries.