A groundbreaking AI system may soon help prevent drunk driving accidents by analyzing drivers’ faces for signs of intoxication.
Researchers have developed an in-vehicle camera algorithm that continuously monitors a driver’s facial expressions and features to detect whether they are under the influence. In early trials, the technology achieved an accuracy rate of around 75% in identifying drunkenness.
The findings were presented on April 9 at a joint conference held by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Computer Vision Foundation (CVF).
Unlike older safety systems that rely on vehicle movement patterns—such as steering behavior, braking style, or speed fluctuations—this AI doesn’t require the car to be in motion. Instead, it can evaluate the driver’s condition immediately after they sit in the driver’s seat.
If adopted on a large scale, this technology could become a powerful tool for reducing alcohol-related crashes, which remain one of the leading causes of road fatalities worldwide.
