How Technology is Promoting Safe Driving

Technology has forever changed the way we communicate. It’s no secret that life today is easier in many way than it was 20 or 30 years ago. New vehicle safety features are perhaps the biggest game changers we have seen recently. Sadly, someone dies in the United States every 30 minutes as a result of impaired or distracted driving, and someone is injured in a car accident every two minutes. The hope is that the use of technology in automobiles will prevent a large portion of these deaths and injuries.

Modern cars come equipped with a wide range of important safety features that aim to protect drivers, passengers, other motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. The key here is knowing how to use them. Apps for both Android and iPhone devices that can help you stay focused on the road are also being developed.

Top Technologies Keeping Drivers Safe

While there is no one single app or feature that will take driver error out of the equation, there are numerous technologies that are beneficial to drivers today.

Let’s look at how technology is helping reduce dangerous driving habits:

• Back-up cameras – Reverse monitoring systems are excellent tools to warn drivers of objects close to the rear of the vehicle and help judge distances when backing up.
• Blind spot warning system – With blind spot warning systems, drivers can change lanes and park much safer.
• Smart headlights – Many new cars come with smart headlights, which adjust the range and intensity of light based on traffic. This feature helps to improve night vision and prevents blinding oncoming drivers with excessively bright lights.
• Apple’s “Do Not Disturb While Driving”- Texting while driving, responding to emails and even scrolling through social media is a growing problem in this country. These activities take the driver’s focus off the road. Apple’s relatively new ‘Do Not Disturb While Driving’ feature aims to discourage these behaviors by preventing drivers from seeing messages and call notifications on the screen until the car has stopped. The feature automatically sends a message to the sender that the user is driving.
• Lane departure warning – Many accidents are caused by drowsy drivers who drift into the other lane. Lane departure technologies work by alerting you that your car is about to veer out of lane, warning you to get back into the lane.
• Drowsy driver alerts – Building off the above point, many cars also have drowsy driver alerts that monitor how inattentive the driver is being, alerting them to get back on track.

While these technologies are beneficial and have already saved lives, we still have a long way to go. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, please contact our Personal Injury Attorneys at 1-877-241-9554 to learn more about your legal options. A free consultation is just a phone call away.