Seeing Machines Ltd (AIM:SEE, OTC:SEEMF) has welcomed the steps announced by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) towards the compulsory introduction of impaired-driving prevention technology in new vehicles.
Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) are specifically mentioned as a technological solution that will be considered as part of its formal rulemaking process.
Seeing Machines has agreements in place with 16 car manufacturers for its proprietary DMS technology with more than 1.3 million cars fitted already.
NHTSA’s 'Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking' (ANPRM) lays the groundwork for the technology standard in new passenger vehicles, Seeing Machines said.
The ANPRM is the official first step in implementing a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) and will build a database of technologies such as DMS that can help stop distraction, drowsiness and impaired driving,
Distracted driving caused 10,546 deaths in the US in 2019 and represented 29% of all vehicle fatalities, according to NHTSA data.
Paul McGlone, Seeing Machine’s chief executive, said the company was delighted to be helping the NHTSA, adding that the process had already started in Europe.
"Euro NCAP and European Commission's General Safety Regulations (GSR) will require all cars, vans, trucks and buses to be equipped with technology like ours to stop distraction and drowsiness beginning next year.
"It is clear that regulatory momentum around driver safety is building around the world and we commend the US Department of Transportation for making this critical safety technology a priority in the coming months."