# Leveraging driver vehicle and environment interaction: Machine learning using driver monitoring cameras to detect drunk driving

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2301.08978 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2301.08978/

## Key facts

- Cited by 3 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 21 Jan 2023.

## Built on by (most cited first, 3 of 3)

- [Vision-based Analysis of Driver Activity and Driving Performance Under the Influence of Alcohol](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2309.08021/) (2023)
- [A Simulator Dataset to Support the Study of Impaired Driving](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2507.02867/) (2025)
- [Detecting Drunk Driving Using Off-the-Shelf Smartwatches](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2605.23663/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Excessive alcohol consumption causes disability and death. Digital interventions are promising means to promote behavioral change and thus prevent alcohol-related harm, especially in critical moments such as driving. This requires real-time information on a person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Here, we develop an in-vehicle machine learning system to predict critical BAC levels. Our system leverages driver monitoring cameras mandated in numerous countries worldwide. We evaluate our system with n=30 participants in an interventional simulator study. Our system reliably detects driving under any alcohol influence (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC] 0.88) and driving above the WHO recommended limit of 0.05g/dL BAC (AUROC 0.79). Model inspection reveals reliance on pathophysiological effects associated with alcohol consumption. To our knowledge, we are the first to rigorously evaluate the use of driver monitoring cameras for detecting drunk driving. Our results highlight the potential of driver monitoring cameras and enable next-generation drunk driver interaction preventing alcohol-related harm.