What Romanians say about the system that prevents drunk drivers from starting the car: “Someone will immediately appear to help you disconnect it”
The installation of electronic devices that can block the start of the car for those who get behind the wheel is causing controversy for many Romanians. Some welcome the idea, hoping it will reduce risks, but others see such regulations as a restriction on freedom.
New anti-alcohol features in cars are causing controversy on social media. Photo: Magnificent. com
A news story featuring an alleged tightening of conditions for drivers in Spain has become a hot topic of discussion on social media. According to information shared online, all new cars would be equipped with alcolock systems, which would prevent the engine from starting if the driver has consumed alcohol.
In reality, it is not about the obligation to fit a breathalyzer on every new car in Spain. The General Directorate of Traffic in Spain (DGT) includes only “alcolock pre-installation” on the list of mandatory systems for newly registered vehicles, starting from July 2024. Thus, the machines must have the necessary technical interface for the subsequent installation of such a device.
Spain's General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) explained how the device works.
“The driver, before starting, must activate alcolock. He blows through a mouthpiece and the device detects the level of alcohol in the exhaled air. If the level is higher than the permitted level, alcolock blocks the starter. If it is lower, it allows starting. If there is a stop longer than 30 minutes, the process must be repeated”, informs DGT, in 2024.
The European regulation, also published in the Official Gazette of the Spanish State (BOE), states that the interface must allow the installation or subsequent adaptation of an immobilizer. The device is not automatically fitted to all new cars, nor does it become mandatory for all drivers in Spain.
In Spain, alcolock devices are already mandatory from 6 July 2022 for certain M2 and M3 passenger buses and coaches, if the vehicles have the standardized interface.
Improvisations that can cheat the alcolock
The message shared on Reddit sparked debates about how this system would work in Romania. Some Romanians believe that, in a short time, drivers would find solutions to bypass the device.
“Immediately the Romanians will appear to help you disconnect it: 50 euros, a re-software and it's done”, joked a netizen.
Another claims that such a device, which prevents the car from starting if it detects alcohol in the driver's breath, could be “cheated”.
“There will be beggars by the bars: “Boss, ten lei and blow into the machine””, someone else wrote.
A Romanian relies on other improvisations.
“There will be a Chinese thing that charges to a USB and blows air into the breathalyzer to fool it,” he states.
A netizen reminds that the alcolock system is already applied in some states, mainly on buses.
“The intent is good, the execution less so. Breathalyzers will pop up very easily for you, or you can ask someone else in the car to blow, so you're on your way”someone else adds.
Someone else thinks that the system can be easily fooled because it can blow the passenger on the right.
“I can't wait for it to break down and set the nerve machine on fire because I can't use it even though I haven't had anything to drink.” add this one.
A Romanian also drew attention to possible system errors and cases in which the car could no longer be started, even though the driver had not consumed alcohol.
“There are also the emergencies. You're at the cabin and everyone there has been drinking. One has a heart attack. You call 911, but you're in the middle of the woods. You say you can drive halfway to drop off the patient and save precious time. But the car won't start.”
someone adds.
The measure, seen as restrictive regulation
Some Romanians commented ironically on the preventive measures.
“The EU is always creating new business opportunities and jobs”, noted a netizen.
Others believe that the measure could be to continue an ever-wider form of control over drivers and the general population.
“In a few years, you'll need permission to open the door of your own car, and if you've exceeded the permitted kilometer limit, it will stop on the road, automatically print a fine and deduct points from your social score.” believe this one.
Bulgarians stay out of the way of Romanian drivers: “They are completely reckless. Very high speeds, overtaking in curves. I'm honestly afraid”
“Sleep peacefully when Big Brother is watching: and in the car, and on the street, and at home”another netizen commented ironically.
Others see breathalyzer devices as forms of authoritarian enforcement.
“Do we proceed from the presumption of guilt or should artificial intelligence follow our movements to see if we are drunk?”, he asks.
A Romanian believes that zero tolerance for alcohol has become necessary because of the behavior of some drivers.
“We had more permissive legislation regarding alcohol, but there were people with the mentality: “I weigh 120 kilograms, four beers don't feel good”, “I drink cola afterwards, it doesn't show up on the breathalyzer test”, “I drank five beers four hours ago, I'm no longer drunk””. he wrote.
The arguments of the Romanians who support the measure
Other Romanians argued that they were in favor of such a measure because the devices could reduce the number of accidents caused by drunk drivers and stop those who, after consuming alcohol, overestimate their ability to drive.
“I came close to losing my life because a woman drove drunk, 80 kilometers an hour, into an intersection where there was a stop sign. I'd put a breathalyzer in my blood, directly as a microchip. You don't realize how unfunny it is to die because Marin said he liked to drink.” wrote a netizen.
The road where many drivers admit to falling asleep at the wheel. “If you're too ambitious and think you can handle it, you run the risk of hurting it”
Another Romanian reported that he went through a similar situation and believes that such measures could reduce the number of accidents.
“Me, innocent, driving at 30 kilometers per hour and having priority, I woke up with my life in danger, with my car destroyed and with a trauma that only passed after six months”, he adds.
A Romanian finds it incredible that people view a basic safety technology as a massive violation of rights.
“They complain about a sensor in the car, but then they're shocked when someone drives drunk and destroys everything”he adds.
A netizen reminds that it is not about the obligation to mount the device from the factory, but about the inclusion of the connections and technical components necessary for the subsequent installation.
“Having driven after drinking, I support the measure. It would be nice if the car didn't let you down. A lot of people think they have superpowers after drinking, but they're actually dustier.”, a added another netizen.
Another Romanian claims that, although he does not drink while driving, he does not agree with such a measure.
“I don't want to be treated like I do that from the start”he states.
A Romanian recalls that, in some states, people do not dare to exceed the legal speed just because they have speed cameras everywhere.
“It would be best if the police did more frequent raids and that's it.” someone else thinks.
