Nissan Planning Sober Car

Yokosoka, Japan (AHN) -- Automaker Nissan is planning technology able to detect whether drivers are sober. The techniques, unveiled in concept form, could reduce driving fatalities to below that of a decade ago, according to the car maker.

One system under investigation is a gearshift able to discern the driver's alcohol level, emitting an audio warning if the operator drinks too much. Already, Volvo offers a breathalyser that won't allow the car's ignition to start if alcohol levels are too high.

Another technology, Nissan expects to use in its high-end Infinity EX, is a camera which checks whether a driver drifts out of his lane. The system also monitors a driver's blink rate, indicating her sleepiness or inebriation.