Seeing Machines has released the second paper in its technical series on intoxication and impairment, arguing that driver monitoring systems (DMS) can support road safety by detecting real-time driver impairment rather than relying on chemical indicators such as blood alcohol concentration.
The paper draws a distinction between intoxication—the presence of substances in the body—and impairment, defined as the extent to which substances or other factors affect functional capacity and driving performance. It argues that traditional road safety approaches, including law enforcement and public awareness campaigns, typically use static chemical thresholds as proxy indicators of risk, and do not directly assess a driver’s current fitness to drive.
According to the paper, camera-based DMS technology focuses on visual indicators of reduced driving capability, tracking the severity and progression of symptoms to support timely interventions. It states that because the system assesses functional state, it does not depend on breath, saliva, or sweat-based detection methods tied to individual substances, and may be able to address scenarios including polydrug use and fatigue without requiring multiple chemical sensors.
“Our second paper reinforces that effective in-cabin safety systems must focus on a driver’s functional state, rather than identifying a specific chemical cause,” said Dr Mike Lenné, Chief Safety Officer at Seeing Machines.
“By detecting the physical signs of impairment directly, camera-based DMS provides a versatile safety net, capturing risks arising from both substance and non-substance related causes, and complements existing roadside deterrence strategies.”
The second paper is published online by the company. The first paper in the series, titled Blood Alcohol Concentration is an Insufficient Ground Truth for Real-Time Impairment Detection, was released in December 2025.
