New technology to avoid vehicle accidents

Kentucky drivers may know that accidents sometimes happen due to delayed reaction time. There are technologies available that alert the driver to unexpected conditions or help maintain vehicle stability. While such features are offered as options, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is being urged to institute updated standards, obligating carmakers to make such technologies mandatory in new vehicles.

According to NHTSA, crashes caused by rear-end collisions account for 28 percent of highway accidents. Sudden lane changes account for 9 percent of wrecks, and running off the road account for 23 percent of accidents. If the vehicles had stability control, accidents due to out of control vehicles could be reduced by 70 percent for SUVs and 40 percent for cars, according to NHTSA’s estimates. A study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration analyzed the cost benefit of this technology and found it might have helped truck drivers avoid forward collisions in up to 18,013 crashes during the period 2001 to 2005.

The innovations are useful in situations that cause accidents due to running off the road incidents, rear-end crashes, maladjusted brakes, speeding and losing control. Technologies that help the driver have time to react successfully by warning drivers of lane drift, getting too close to the vehicle in front, automatically applying brakes and controlling stability may help. This is particularly true at highway speeds or with large trucks.

Currently, drivers may have the ability to choose such options. However, until they are issued as standard features, it is up to the driver to maintain absolute vigilance for changing conditions. When a driver fails to do that, auto accident injuries may result. An attorney may review the accident and help individuals file a personal injury suit to recover damages due to medical bills and lost wages.

Source: National Transportation Safety Board, “Mandate Motor Vehicle Collision Avoidance Technologies“, December 01, 2014