Springfield Virginia Motor Vehicle Accidents Blog

Researchers have conducted a study for AAA that show how distracting infotainment systems can be. Virginia residents who want these and other new tech on their cars should know what the dangers are since no one is immune to distracted driving. The study involved 30 new 2017 vehicles with infotainment systems. A group of drivers aged 21 to 36 participated by using the systems while behind the wheel.

As might be expected, drivers became negligent, swerving completely out of their lanes, failing to halt at stop signs and traveling at excessively slow speeds. Every activity, even listening to the radio, proved distracting at some level. Of the 30 infotainment systems, none could be classified as demanding only a low level of attention. Seven came with a moderate demand, 11 with a high demand and 12 with a very high.

Motor vehicle drivers have a clear advantage when it comes to avoiding injuries in a pedestrian-versus-car crash. The pedestrian may suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries after a direct hit while the motorist will usually survive without suffering any kind of bodily harm. For this reason, motorists have a high level of responsibility when it comes to giving pedestrians the right of way and staying attentive.

Many pedestrians who are struck by cars have the right to pursue financial compensation. To have the best chance of success in legal actions, injured pedestrians or their family members can do the following immediately after an injurious pedestrian accident.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch claims that technology used in automobiles will help to reduce the number of accidents that occur. Since 2011, there has been a 30 percent increase in the number of accidents on Virginia roads and those in other states. The increase is partially the result of higher employment, which has led to more miles being driven. Smartphone use as well as the legalization of marijuana are also cited as factors for the increase. According to data from the IIHS, states that had legalized marijuana had more crashes reported by police than bordering states that had not legalized it.

In 2016, 91 percent of drivers owned a smartphone compared to 52 percent of drivers in 2011 according to research conducted by State Farm. However, the use of collision avoidance features could reduce accidents by up to 30 percent by the 2030s. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety claims that advanced safety features can reduce crashes by up to 40 percent. By 2022, it is believed that 99 percent of new vehicles in the United States will come with front crash prevention systems.

Distracted driving among teens remains a huge problem in the U.S. even though texting and driving is prohibited in nearly every state. The CDC believes that up to nine people are killed every day on the nation's roadways because of distracted driving. Out of a study group of more than 101,000 teens, 38 percent admitted to texting and driving, and nearly 56 percent of older teens acknowledged they engage in this dangerous habit.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety confirms that 47 states have put laws into effect that either ban or limit texting and driving. In addition, new drivers in 38 states are forbidden from using a cell phone for any activity while operating a motor vehicle.