Toyota Motor Corp. is developing a fail-safe system for cars that detects drunken drivers and automatically shuts the vehicle down if sensors pick up signs of excessive alcohol consumption, a report said this week.

Cars fitted with the detection system will not start if sweat sensors in the driving wheel detect high levels of alcohol in the driver's bloodstream, the Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun reported.

The system could kick in if the sensors detect abnormal steering, or if a camera shows that the driver's pupils are not in focus.

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