ROADS SAFE Act of 2015

To direct the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to carry out a collaborative research effort to prevent drunk driving injuries and fatalities, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Research of Alcohol Detection Systems for Stopping Alcohol-Related Fatalities Everywhere Act of 2015 ROADS SAFE Act of 2015 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities represent approximately 1⁄3 (2) In 2013, there were 10,336 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in the United States. (3) The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has partnered with automobile manufacturers to develop alcohol detection technologies that could be installed in vehicles to prevent drunk driving. (4) An estimated 59,000 lives and $343,000,000,000 could be saved over a 15-year period by the widespread installation of alcohol detection technologies in motor vehicles. (5) Alcohol detection technologies will not be widely accepted by the public unless they are— (A) moderately priced; (B) absolutely reliable; and (C) set at a level that would not prevent a driver whose blood alcohol content is less than the legal limit from operating a vehicle. 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Alcohol-impaired driving The term alcohol-impaired driving (2) Legal limit The term legal limit (A) 0.08 percent or greater (as specified in section 163(a) of title 23, United States Code); or (B) such other percentage limitation as may be established by applicable Federal, State, or local law. 4. Driver alcohol detection system for safety research (a) In general The Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shall carry out a collaborative research effort to continue to explore the feasibility and the potential benefits of, and the public policy challenges associated with, more widespread deployment of in-vehicle technology to prevent alcohol-impaired driving. (b) Reports The Administrator shall submit an annual report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives (1) describes the progress made by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in carrying out the collaborative research effort required under subsection (a); and (2) includes an accounting of the use of Federal funds obligated or expended in carrying out such effort. 5. Application with other laws Nothing in this Act may be construed to modify or otherwise affect any Federal, State, or local government law (whether civil or criminal) with respect to the operation of a motor vehicle. 6. Authorization of appropriations (a) In general There is authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account), to carry out the collaborative research effort described in section 4(a)— (1) $6,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2016 and 2017; (2) $8,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2018 and 2019; and (3) $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2020 and 2021. (b) Applicability of title 23 (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), amounts made available under subsection (a) shall be available for obligation and administered in the same manner as if the funds were apportioned under chapter 1 (2) Exception The Federal share payable for a project or activity carried out using amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) shall be 100 percent.

Summary: Research of Alcohol Detection Systems for Stopping Alcohol-Related Fatalities Everywhere Act of 2015 or the ROADS SAFE Act of 2015 This bill directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to: (1) carry out a collaborative research effort to continue to explore the feasibility and the potential benefits of, and public policy challenges associated with, more widespread deployment of in-vehicle technology to prevent alcohol-impaired driving; and (2) report annually to Congress.