How Automation is Changing Car Safety

As technology becomes more prevalent in our vehicle functions, new questions regarding auto safety arise. How can we trust computers to regulate our vehicles? Is having less human control over driving safe? We do not have definite answers to these questions yet. However, human designed vehicles always have the potential to be unsafe, regardless of what technology is integrated into the vehicle.

New Technologies That Are Changing Car Safety

• Autonomous vehicles: Much press has been made about self-driving cars, which have become a hot topic of debate due to safety concerns. However, this technology is new, and safety features are likely to improve. The vast majority of car accidents, including ones with self-driving cars, are caused by human errors. Speeding, driving while intoxicated, and distracted driving account for most fatal car accidents. Many vehicles are equipped with self-steering features and electronic stability control, which senses loss of traction on the road and attempts to correct the issue. A study completed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, concluded that newer vehicles that have more autonomous electronic safety features decrease the risk of dying in a crash by almost one-third.
• Driver assistance: These features are becoming more popular, offering parking with rear-view camera assistance, different driving modes for weather and road conditions, blind-spot monitoring devices, and collision control systems. When the car senses that a threat of a collision is eminent, brake-systems work to stop the vehicle automatically on behalf of the driver to avoid an accident in some cases.
• Multiple vehicle automation: The U.S. Department of Transportation has discussed a rule that would require manufacturers to include “vehicle-to-vehicle” automation, allowing vehicles to “talk” to each other, making it easier to avoid accidents. The complexity of the legal framework in the U.S. makes these rules hard to achieve.

New Liability Issues Arise

These new technologies bring more liability upon the manufacturers of these new ideas. Car manufacturers can be responsible for defective parts and vehicle malfunctions, and laws regulating liability for defective software components that lead to accidents will follow suit.These new innovative technologies receive a lot of backlash from those who think that computers should not be making driving decisions on our behalf. However, evidence shows that preventable human errors on the road are responsible for almost all accidents.If you or someone you know was in an auto accident due to the negligence of an auto manufacturer, or another driver, contacting a Lufkin auto accident attorney can help you get the coverage you deserve. In many cases, an attorney can get more coverage than an insurance company is willing to offer.

Can This New Auto Technology Prevent Car Accidents?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed regulations that will require V2V technology (vehicle-to-vehicle) in light vehicles. V2V technology uses high-tech radio communications that allow cars to share important data with each other. The data shared with other vehicles includes heading, speed, brake status and other important information. By sharing data with each other, vehicles can warn drivers or self-driving systems of impending collisions. If NHTSA’s proposal goes into effect, it will become a standard like antilock braking or airbags.

How Might V2V Technology Improve Auto Safety?

Let’s say you were driving along I-10 on your way to Houston. A vehicle further up the interstate suddenly activates its brakes to avoid colliding with piece of debris. Your V2V system would warn that the other driver had slammed on the brakes. Your car could communicate with this other vehicle from 1,000 to 1,500 feet away, depending on the conditions. This is only one example of how V2V could prevent a collision. According to NHTSA, V2V technology could help you determine whether it is safe to make a turn across the path of oncoming traffic, or if a vehicle approaching your intersection is on a collision course.V2V technology is also expected to help improve the safety of self-driving vehicles. Existing self-driving technology is limited by line of sight. For example, current radars used by self-driving cars cannot see around blind corners or past other obstructions hundreds of feet away. V2V will not have these limitations.A recent article published by Forbes argues V2V technology will improve the safety of self-driving cars. The article discusses a fatal car accident last year involving Tesla’s Autopilot. According to the article, the crash happened because Autopilot did not detect a semi-truck turning left in front of the Tesla Model S. V2V may have communicated with Autopilot or the driver, allowing the vehicle or motorist to avoid the collision.

What Impact Could V2V Technology Have on Public Safety?

According to NHTSA, its proposal could save $53 billion to $71 billion within 30 years of going into effect. NHTSA believes V2V and other similar technologies could prevent up to 80 percent of non-impaired accidents that occur at intersections or while changing lanes. The NHTSA estimates this will save 1,000 lives every year.If NHTSA’s proposal becomes finalized after a public comment period, all light trucks and vehicles could use the technology by 2023. It’s an exciting development, because it is another step towards preventing human error from causing car accidents. Our roads may be much safer in the next decade.The Texas car accident lawyers at Mike Love & Associates, LLC encourage you to drive safely and stay informed on vehicle recall information.