With each passing year comes new, more up-to-date technology. Cellphones and laptops are usually the things we see constantly changing but they aren’t the only ones. Motor vehicles continuously receive updates in technology each year, with a lot of the focus being on driver and passenger safety.
The United States Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that traffic fatalities for the first half of 2019 shows that an estimated 16,890 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes already this year.
Injuries from car accidents also continue to rise each year and the NHTSA contributes these accidents to factors such as distracted driving, speeding, alcohol impairment, drowsy driving, etc.
The constant improvements in technology are lending a helping hand in keeping drivers and passengers safe while on the road. Many different car manufacturers are creating and building their vehicles with things like automatic braking and adaptive headlights for example.
Automatic breaking is a great feature that uses sensors to monitor a car’s surroundings and gently applies the brakes in the event that the car is close to coming in contact with any stationary object.
Adaptive headlights use sensors to adjust a vehicle’s headlights to curves in the road. They are in tune with the steering wheel and will turn along with you, the driver. They also adjust themselves based on the speed of the vehicle and will even lower when coming up on opposing traffic or for a turn. Adaptive headlights are offered as a standard or optional feature in many vehicles like BMW, Buick, Jeep, Lexus, Mazda, Volvo, etc.
2019 also brough adaptive cruise control for commuters (matches the traffic in front of you for stop-and-go ease), door warnings for cyclists in busy cities (sensor lights up while engine is turned off or on, warning cyclists that the doors may be opening soon), lane depature warnings (lets you know if the vehicle has drifted from its lane), and even 360 degree cameras (because, we can’t decide who parks next to us or who taught them to drive).
Many states have made it illegal to talk on the phone while driving, for hands free and distraction free driving. Dashboard systems that sync seamlessly with your cell phone make it so navigation, communication, and music can be controlled with your voice or steering wheel buttons — keeping your eyes on the road instead of your phone.
It is comforting to know that technology is aimed at safer roads and safer vehicles, with the ultimate goal of eliminating accidents altogether.
Unfortunately, accidents are still occur – leading to injuries or even death.
Talk to A Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been in a car accident and sustained an injury you may have the right to compensation. The personal injury attorneys at Liddon Law in Birmingham are ready and prepared to represent you and help get the compensation and justice you deserve.
Contact Liddon Law today to set up a free initial consultation and begin discussing your case.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney/client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.