Can New In-Vehicle Technology Hinder or Help Your Driving?
Back-up cameras, lane detection, self-parking. All are very useful features that come on most news cars. They can help with seeing directly behind us while backing out of the driveway, staying in our own lane on the highway, or those pesky parallel parking jobs. They are useful to most of us who have them. But what happens when we rely on them too much and they malfunction? These are all computerized systems and they can crash just like a computer. A loose wire or a stone to a lens or sensor can throw everything out of whack. Some Americans consider these features as lazy and an unnecessary luxury. This week, we will talk about laws concerning laws about what new technologies are out there, what laws there are concerning these features, and whether or not they are truly useful.
Becoming Aware of New Technologies
In 2018, a federal law was passed requiring new vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds to have rearview cameras. They are to assist the ever-present rearview mirrors which do not let you see the area behind you completely. The rearview mirror has limited viewing, ending at the edge of the window, and lack of sight of what is outside the vehicle. This can lead to 210 deaths or 15,000 injuries annually. Unfortunately, children under 5 make up 31% of those fatalities. It is almost impossible to see little ones that are directly behind a vehicle. Blind spots are a huge factor in these accidents that are eliminated by the backup camera.
Lane departure warning (LDW) is a safety feature that alerts the driver when they are about to unintentionally leave their lane. To avoid the system becoming triggered, drivers must use their turning signal. The system does not take over control of the vehicle, just sends a notification to the driver to get them back where the system thinks they belong. 85,000 car accidents in 2015 could have been prevented with this feature.
These are just a couple of the many new features becoming available in our new cars. There are many others, including emergency braking, forward collision warning, and so much more. These new safety features can be quite useful in the daily commute of drivers across the United States. For example, lane departure could lessen the number of accidents caused by drivers falling asleep or unsafe lane changes, and rearview cameras can greatly lower the number of backup accidents, not just the ones that cause death or injury. Property damage in both of these examples can be greatly reduced as well.
Arguments About The Use Of New In-Vehicle Technology
Unfortunately, there are mixed feelings about the use of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) amongst the population in the United States. Some say that ADAS can be too heavily relied on, while others admit that they love the new technology and how it can make driving safer. Both arguments are true, but ADAS need to be used properly in order for them to be helpful with driving.
One of the most common misconceptions with the use of ADAS is that drivers tend to confuse forward collision warning technology with automatic emergency braking. Forward collision warning technology is only meant to alert drivers when they are too close to an object in front of them and doesn’t apply the breaks for them in the case of an emergency. Roughly around one in six drivers are unaware of whether their vehicle is equipped with emergency braking or not.
Drivers need to know that all in-vehicle technologies have their limits and need to be fully aware of their surroundings at all times, regardless of whether their vehicle has these safety features or not. Without training programs readily available for new drivers, ADAS can be as dangerous instead of useful. Our best advice is to read your new car’s manual to comprehend what features your car has and how they are used.
Does Your Insurance Change if Your Car is Equipped With One of These New Technologies?
Insurance companies do their homework on new in-vehicle technology. Before they give out discounts, they watch the numbers of accidents prevented by the new ADAS. Insurance companies are looking for safety features that work and wait to make a decision on a new technology that is developed for the purpose of driver assistance.
This means the newer the technology, the longer it will take for insurance companies to make their decision on whether it is a good enough investment for discounts. The way they see it, the better the feature the more accidents get prevented. Fewer accidents mean less money to pay out to accident victims. Unfortunately, it is also possible for drivers to turn off a technology feature as the beeping or the car taking over may become annoying or distracting to some drivers.
Talking With A Car Accident Attorney In Florida
With new safety features being developed to assist drivers in Florida and across the United States, there may or may not be fewer accidents. As long as these features are used properly, they can be a very useful tool. Insurance companies do research on new safety features and determine whether or not discounts can be given for safe driving. With that said, it is still important to be aware of your surroundings at all times while on the road.
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured in a car accident in Florida that wasn’t your fault, you may still be eligible for compensation. People who rely too much on their ADAS and don’t use them properly may be held liable for your accident. Our dedicated Florida car accident lawyers at Sheftall Law are here to answer any questions you may have about your accident and will help you determine if you have a claim. With decades of combined experience, you can be confident in our team’s ability to advocate for your needs and rights, and we will ensure that you get the maximum compensation that you deserve. Call us today at (904)-638-7712 or visit sheftalllaw.com to schedule your confidential consultation.