Nissan Develops Preventive Drink-Driving Technology

NISSAN BEGINS TESTS ON PREVENTIVE DRINK-DRIVING TECHNOLOGY - On-board breathalyser system to immobilize vehicle – TOKYO (July 23, 2007) -- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announced it will begin testing of a new technology to prevent drink-driving in cooperation with local prefectural authorities in Japan. Nissan is actively engaged in developing a wide range of technologies to improve road safety through the prevention of drink-driving. In June, Nissan introduced a new message alert against drink-driving through its CARWINGS navigation system. Nissan will test a new on-board breathalyser system that can detect the alcohol level on a driver’s breath. If the system detects the presence of alcohol above the specified level, the ignition will be disabled through an “interlock� mechanism. The tests will be conducted in partnership with Kitakyushu city in Fukuoka Prefecture, Tochigi Prefectural Government and Kaminokawa town, as well as Atsugi city in Kanagawa Prefecture. The system is installed on daily-operating vehicles where the drivers will monitor various factors such as functionality and alcohol-detection reliability. Nissan will use these test results to further its research and development in preventive drink-driving technology.