Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
Some would have said that advanced crash avoidance technologies may be just what we need to help to reduce the risks of car accidents in Weston and elsewhere.
But it all depends on which technology you’re talking about. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), adaptive headlights, and other similar avoidance alert systems have the ability to brake autonomously — producing some of the largest reductions in auto accidents.
Others, like the lane departure systems, aren’t showing as good of results. As a matter of fact, IIHS officials say that these technologies could be making accidents more likely. Technologies like the blind spot protection haven’t shown any clear effects on accident patterns yet, officials report.
“As more automakers offer advanced technologies on their vehicles, insurance data provide an early glimpse of how these features perform in the real world,” says Matt Moore, vice president of HLDI.
Our Weston car accident lawyers reduced accidents means fewer insurance claims. According to the recent study from the IIHS, there were clear reductions in the number of property damage liability claims as well as claims regarding collision insurance. In the study, both 2010 and 2011 vehicles were included, depending on when the automaker started including these technologies in their vehicles.
How do forward collision avoidance technologies work? Well, these systems notify a driver when they’re gaining on traffic and may crash. Some of the newer systems are even equipped with the ability for the car to brake autonomously. With this technology, reduction in claims were seen for both damage and injury accidents. Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and Acura vehicles were examined in the study. All of the vehicles with this technology produced reductions in the frequency of accidents by more than 10 percent.
The lowest reduction was seen in the Volvo vehicles. Experts believe that it’s because many of these vehicles were also equipped with lane departure technologies, which typically have a negative effect on the accident risks.
These technologies still need to be investigated. It’s clear that some help to reduce the risks of accidents, while officials are still questioning others.
If you break down all of the numbers, crash avoidance technology actually does help to reduce the risks of car accidents on our roadways, but it’s all depending on which ones you have as there are some that are actually increasing your risks.
There’s still nothing more important and nothing safer than cautious and alert driving. Drivers are asked to be cautious behind the wheel whether or not your vehicle is equipped with crash avoidance technology. Safe driving habits are still the number one line of defense against a potentially fatal car accident. Be safe out there!
If you or someone who you love has been injured or killed in car accident in Weston, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach or in any of the surrounding areas, contact the South Florida injury lawyers of Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC to set up a free and confidential appointment to discuss your case. Call 1-800-561-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Teen Car Accidents in Hollywood and Elsewhere Likely with Text Messaging, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, June 21, 2012
Drunk Driving Accidents in Fort Lauderdale and Elsewhere Alarmingly Common, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, June 15, 2012