DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF AN ALCOHOL DETECTION SYSTEM FOR DETECTING DRUNK

DRIVING IN VEHICLES

By

ADEBAYO, RIDWAN TUNDE

18/30GC089

SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING,

MAY, 2023
 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 THE BACKGROUND

Drunk driving is a major cause of road accidents worldwide, with a significant number of
fatalities and injuries reported each year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
approximately 1.35 million people die each year due to road traffic crashes [1], with alcohol
being a significant factor in many of these incidents. About 31% of all traffic crash fatalities in
the United States involve drunk drivers (with BACs of .08 g/dL or higher). In 2021, there were
13,384 people killed in these preventable crashes. In fact, on average over the 10-year period
from 2012-2021, about 10,850 people died every year in drunk-driving crashes [2]. In Nigeria,
drunk driving is a significant problem, with a high number of fatalities and injuries reported
each year.

Existing methods of alcohol detection in vehicles include the use of breathalysers, which
require the driver to breathe into a tube connected to the device, and camera-based systems,
which analyse the driver's eyes and behavior to detect signs of intoxication. However, these
methods have limitations, such as the inconvenience of using a breathalyser and the cost and
complexity of installing camera-based systems. As a result, there is a need for more effective
and user-friendly alcohol detection systems that can be easily installed in vehicles. The
proposed alcohol detection system aims to address this need by providing a user-friendly and
efficient solution to detect alcohol in the driver's breath.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Despite efforts to reduce drunk driving, it remains a major problem worldwide, including in
Nigeria. Existing methods of alcohol detection in vehicles have limitations and are not
completely reliable. These limitations include the use of invasive or uncomfortable measures
such as blood tests or breathing tubes, and the lack of a foolproof system to prevent drivers
from bypassing the detection mechanism. As a result, drunk driving continues to be a leading
cause of accidents, injuries, and fatalities on the roads. In Nigeria, statistics show that drunk
driving is responsible for a significant percentage of road accidents, with the majority of these
accidents resulting in fatalities. This underscores the need for a more effective and reliable
alcohol detection system for vehicles in Nigeria.
1.3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The main aim of this project is to develop an alcohol detection system for vehicles that can
accurately and quickly detect the presence of alcohol in a driver's breath and prevent them from
operating the vehicle if they are above the legal limit.

To achieve this aim, the following objectives have been established:

● To design and build a breath-based alcohol detection system that can be installed in
vehicles.
● To ensure the accuracy of the alcohol detection system by conducting extensive testing
and calibration.
● To implement a warning system that alerts the driver if their alcohol level exceeds the
legal limit.
● To integrate the alcohol detection system with the vehicle's electrical system to prevent
the vehicle from starting if the driver's alcohol level is too high.
1.4 JUSTIFICATION

The proposed alcohol detection system is important and necessary because of the dangers of
drunk driving. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), alcohol-related accidents
account for about 20-30% of all road traffic deaths globally. In most high-income countries,
about 20% of fatally injured drivers have blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels above the
legal limit. Studies in low and middle-income countries have shown that between 33% and 69%
of fatally injured drivers and between 8% and 29% of non-fatally injured drivers had consumed
alcohol before their crashes [3].

The proposed system has the potential to significantly reduce the incidence of drunk driving
accidents by preventing drivers who have consumed alcohol from operating their vehicles. This
can be achieved through the use of a reliable and user-friendly system that is capable of
detecting the presence of alcohol in the driver's breath and preventing the vehicle from starting
if the alcohol level exceeds the legal limit.

In addition to the potential for saving lives and reducing injuries, the proposed system can also
have economic and social benefits. The cost of alcohol-related accidents in terms of medical
bills, property damage, and lost productivity is estimated to be in billions of dollars annually.
By reducing the incidence of drunk driving accidents, the proposed system can help to save
these costs and improve the overall economic efficiency of the transportation industry.

Moreover, the implementation of the proposed system can have social benefits, including
reducing the emotional trauma and grief caused by the loss of loved ones due to drunk driving
accidents. By preventing such accidents, the proposed system can help to create a safer and
more harmonious society.
1.5 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

The scope of this project is to design and develop an alcohol detection and prevention system
for vehicles that will help reduce the number of drunk driving accidents in Nigeria. The
proposed system will involve the following components:

Alcohol detection system: The alcohol detection system will be based on breath analysis using a
sensor that detects the presence of alcohol in the driver's breath. The system will analyse the
breath sample to determine the blood alcohol content (BAC) level of the driver. If the BAC
level exceeds the legal limit, the system will prevent the vehicle from starting.

Relay system: The system will use a relay to disconnect the battery of the vehicle every time it
senses that the driver may be intoxicated, so the vehicle won't start. The relay system will have
terminals to which the car battery will be attached, and it will also have its own internal battery
so that the owner of the vehicle cannot bypass the device.

It is important to note that the proposed system will not include any software and will be
designed to be user-friendly. The system will be installed near the driver's seat and will not
require the driver to breathe into a tube. Instead, the driver will simply blow into the sensor, and
the system will analyse the breath sample to detect the presence of alcohol. The system will be
powered by the car's battery and will not require any additional power source.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The proposed project aims to contribute to the field of road safety in Nigeria by providing an
effective solution to the problem of drunk driving. Drunk driving is a serious issue in Nigeria
and contributes significantly to the number of road accidents and fatalities each year. The
proposed project has the potential to significantly reduce the number of alcohol-related road
accidents in Nigeria by providing a reliable and efficient alcohol detection system. By
preventing drivers from starting their vehicles if they are under the influence of alcohol, the
proposed system can help to reduce the number of accidents caused by drunk driving.

In addition, the proposed project has potential implications for policy and regulation related to
drunk driving. By developing an effective alcohol detection system, the project be a valuable
way to support the implementation of policies and regulations aimed at reducing drunk driving
in Nigeria. Overall, the proposed project has significant potential to contribute to the field of
road safety in Nigeria by providing an effective solution to the problem of drunk driving.

1.7 LIMITATIONS

Alcohol detection systems always have their limitations, such as usability, complexity,
scalability, and burdensome implementation [4]. One limitation is the accuracy of the alcohol
sensor used in the system, as it may impact the reliability of the readings. The design and
construction of an alcohol detection system for vehicles involves integrating multiple
components and ensuring their seamless operation. Lastly, the design and construction of the
system may face limitations in terms of size and space available within the vehicle.
1.8 REFERENCES

[1] World Health Organization. Global status report on road safety, 2018. Geneva: World Health
Organization; 2018. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241565684

[2] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Alcohol-impaired driving. Available from:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving

[3] World Health Organization (WHO). Drink Driving - A Road Safety Manual for Decision-
Makers and Practitioners Available from https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/2021-
dha-docs/ifrc-drink-driving-2022-final.pdf?sfvrsn=f3e09010_1&download=true#:~:text=Studies
%20in%20low%2D%20and%20middle,from%20a%20range%20of%20countries.

[4.] A. Kumar and R. Nandal, "A Review Paper on Drunk Driving Detection System using IOT
& ML Techniques," 2022 Fifth International Conference on Computational Intelligence and
Communication Technologies (CCICT), Sonepat, India, 2022, pp. 190-197, doi:
10.1109/CCiCT56684.2022.00045.