By Robert Farago
February 1, 2008
Owners of cars with built-in navigation systems are familiar with the legal disclaimer screen, which indemnifies the manufacturer if the unit distracts you to death. Nissan plans to expand this e-hectoring with a start-up screen reminding drivers not to drink and drive. According to a press release on WebWire, "the alert 'Do not drive after drinking' appears automatically for about five seconds on the navigation panel between the hours of 17:30 and 05:00 at the start of the ignition. In the daytime i.e. between 05:00 and 17:30 hours, the display message reads 'Let’s continue safe driving today.'" The new Nannying– featured on their way cool CARWINGS nav system– is a Japan-only deal. For now. Nissan also says it intends to "widen its use of technology to address the hazards of drink-driving." Could a breathalyzer ignition lock be in Nissan drivers' future?
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POWERED
February 1st, 2008 at 10:57 am
After I borrowed a friend’s Murano and saw that the NAV system required you to click “I agree” to some legalese nonsense every single time you started the car, I determined that I would NEVER buy a car that nagged me like that. It’s a little thing, but so is a sliver, or a mosquito. It made me just a little angry about the state of the legal system every time I began to drive. That is NO way to begin your drive. “Don’t drive angry!”
February 1st, 2008 at 11:06 am
Isn’t Volvo already selling a car with a built in breath/alcohol detector (perhaps only in Sweden)? I can see Nissan doing it.
February 1st, 2008 at 11:44 am
As a deterrent, that nag screen sounds about as effective as the “don’t use drugs” screen on arcade games, or “don’t copy this DVD” at the start of a movie.
February 1st, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Bolhuijo,
Not only would I not buy the nav unit, I may just not buy a nissan. What a bunch of crap.
February 1st, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Why stop there with the nag screen? Why not rotate the public service announcements for some variety? Some suggestions for Nissan:
“Do not beat wife.”
“Do not forge checks.”
“That 13 year old girl in the chat room isn’t really 13 and it’s not just a coincidence that an NBC news van is parked down the street.”
February 1st, 2008 at 2:03 pm
about as helpful as “your door is a jar” warning…
February 1st, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Breathalyzer ignition locks pretty much rule imho. I think they should be mandated for anyone who’s had a drunk (or drink if your British) driving conviction within the last, oh, 5 years or something. If they became standard equipment on all cars I wouldn’t boo-hoo.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Why not have it refuse to start when it sees that you have been parked in front of a bar for n number of minutes.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:52 pm
If a 5 year old breathalyzer ignition lock craps out, I wonder how long and how much it’ll be to diagnose and fix.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:18 pm
You mean, they do not offer to carry advertisment on the screen yet?
I can see how in very short there will be an option on lease contracts where the monthly payments will rediced by, say 10% go from $245/mo. to $220/mo. if you check the ( ) where it says “I agree on select advertisement on my navigationa screen”.
It is sooo obvious I do not know why marketers have not acted on it.
Just think about it… you are drivinga nd looking for a hotel… how much would Radisson pay to have a logo blinking in your Nav screen over the Best Western accross the street?
I am heading to the nearest Ford dealer to get my Ranger with a bench seat, stick shift and no Nav before it is too late lol.