After a record 484 DUI arrests in 2006 by the State College Police Department, new technology being developed by Toyota Motor Corp.
may reduce the number of these incidents.

The system, consisting of sensors located on car steering wheels, would use the driver's sweat to detect the level of alcohol in the bloodsteam. The system would then prohibit the car's ignition from starting if the sensors detected high levels of alcohol.

A recent Associated Press story reported that Michelle Love, a Toyota representative, confirmed "there is a system that is going to be launched," but could not comment on the specific components.

The system would offer an alternative to the Breathalyzer system, which already exists in some vehicles and requires the driver to blow into a tube before the car's ignition will start.

These systems, also known as ignition interlock devices, read the driver's blood alcohol content and disable the car if the driver has consumed too much alcohol.

The AP article reported that if these steering wheel sensors fail to detect alcohol levels, the new system would also be able to detect abnormal steering in addition to a camera, which could detect whether or not the driver's pupils were in focus.

The system would then slow the car and then bring it to a stop, according to a press release.

While installing these steering wheels could help cut down on the number of DUI charges in the area, State College Lt. Dana Leonard said drivers can't put all of their trust into the system.

"Anything that's adopted that can help us is appreciated," he said. "But my caution is this; don't put too much faith in any one single strategy.

It takes several strategies working together. Each strategy alone can't solve the problem."

The AP reported that Toyota is hopeful that the alcohol-detection system will appear in their car models by the end of 2009.

Nissan Motor Company has also been experimenting with "breathalyzer-like devices," according to the Associated Press.

Nissan Motor Company could not be reached for comment at press time.

"It seems like a good idea," said Dan Lesutis (freshman-mechanical engineering). "But people will always find a way to beat the system."

The Associated Press contributed to this article.