Drunk drivers could soon find themselves stranded by a new invention aimed at preventing further carnage on South Africa's roads.
The mastermind behind a new device that can detect alcohol on a driver's breath, Noel Mey, 53, of Polokwane in Limpopo, says he was inspired after seeing South Africa's road-death statistics.
"I was shocked by the number of people killed on our roads each year - especially incidents where alcohol was involved," said Mey, who began work on the device five years ago.
Known as the "Alco-Detector", Mey's invention consists of a sensor and a programmable control panel that can be fitted to any vehicle.
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| 'A wide range of strict tests have been carried out to simulate different conditions' |
"The sensor is placed in close proximity to the driver and the panel can be installed elsewhere in the vehicle," said Mey.
The sensor will detect the presence of alcohol on the driver's breath and relay the information to the control panel, which can then disable the vehicle.
"The control panel is computer programmable to detect different levels of alcohol, depending on the needs of whoever fits the device," said Mey.
Depending on how the control panel is set, the vehicle can either be disabled immediately or after travelling a short distance, giving the driver time to safely pull off the road.
Should a driver simply open a bottle of alcohol when driving, Mey says, the sensor will detect it and the vehicle will be disabled within a short distance.
| 'Alco-Detector is about saving lives and reducing fatalities on our roads' |
In order to re-start the vehicle, the control panel needs to be re-set by an authorised person who is aware of its hidden location.
The Alco-Detector has undergone severe field trials, says Mey, and has proven extremely effective.
"A wide range of strict tests have been carried out to simulate different conditions," he said.
Mey says the device cannot be fooled by a drunken driver eating toothpaste or chewing gum before driving the vehicle.
"We have tried every possible way to fool the sensor and none have worked," he said.
Mey said his invention should receive attention from commercial transport companies and a few had already approached him with a view to installing the device in their fleets.
"The transport industry has shown a keen interest and I am in discussions with companies about future plans," he said.
Mey is in the process of finding a suitable company to install the Alco-Detector, which will cost about R3 000 fitted.
"Alco-Detector is about saving lives and reducing fatalities on our roads," he said.
- This article was originally published on page 8 of Pretoria News on November 01, 2004
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