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Congress·In Committee·H.R. 6850

Rep. Dingell Introduces DRIVE to HALT Drunk Driving Act to Mandate Impairment Detection Tech in New Cars

DRIVE to HALT Drunk Driving Act

Legislative Progress

House
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President
Law

Key Points

  • Large automakers (those selling more than 250,000 vehicles per year in the U.S.) would be required to produce at least 10,000 cars per year equipped with the DADSS drunk-driving prevention sensor system and another 10,000 meeting European safety assessment standards — totaling 20,000 vehicles annually with impairment-detection technology.

    From policy text

    a covered manufacturer shall not manufacture for sale, sell, offer for sale, introduce or deliver for introduction in interstate commerce, or import into the United States less than-- ``(1) 10,000 passenger motor vehicles per calendar year that meet the performance specifications of the DADSS Subsystem Performance Specification Document; and ``(2) 10,000 passenger motor vehicles per calendar year that comply with section 3.5.1 through 3.5.4.4 of the European New Car Assessment Programme version 10.3
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  • Only the biggest car manufacturers are covered — those that made or imported more than 250,000 vehicles in the second most recent calendar year. Smaller automakers would be exempt from the requirement.

    From policy text

    The term `covered manufacturer' means a manufacturer that, in the second most recent calendar year, manufactured for sale, sold, offered for sale, introduced or delivered for introduction in interstate commerce, or imported into the United States more than 250,000 motor vehicles.
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  • Companies would have just 180 days (about six months) after the bill becomes law to start meeting these requirements. Those that fail to comply could face civil penalties under existing motor vehicle safety enforcement provisions.

    From policy text

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, a covered manufacturer shall not manufacture for sale, sell, offer for sale, introduce or deliver for introduction in interstate commerce, or import into the United States less than--
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  • The bill is designed as a temporary bridge measure. Its requirements automatically expire once the federal government issues a permanent nationwide rule on drunk driving prevention technology, as directed by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

    From policy text

    The requirements of this section shall expire upon the effective date of the rule required under section 24220 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (49 U.S.C. 30111 note).
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  • If the European safety standard referenced in the bill is updated, the new version automatically replaces the old one — unless the Secretary of Transportation determines the updated standard doesn't meet motor vehicle safety needs after a public comment period.

    From policy text

    The Secretary, after publishing a notice in the Federal Register and allowing for a period of public comment and review, may make a determination that the revised standard described in paragraph (1) does not meet the need for motor vehicle safety.
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Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Dec 18, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Dec 18, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

180 days after enactment

Large automakers must begin producing at least 20,000 vehicles per year with drunk-driving prevention technology

Within about six months of the bill becoming law, the biggest car brands would need to have impairment-detection systems installed in a portion of their new cars. Consumers could start seeing these vehicles at dealerships shortly after.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

DRIVE to HALT Drunk Driving Act

Bill NumberHR 6850
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Read Full Bill Text

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.