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Many drivers fail to use advanced safety tech properly

On Behalf of | Dec 23, 2019 | Motor Vehicle Accidents |

Advanced safety technologies are supposed to make cars safer in Virginia and across the U.S. However, according to a new study, these systems are placing some drivers at additional risk.

The study, which was conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, found that advanced safety technologies can reduce accidents and injuries when they are used correctly, but many drivers trust these systems too much, increasing their risk of getting into an accident. For example, lane departure systems use cameras and sensors to determine if a driver is staying in his or her lane. If the vehicle starts to drift from the lane, the system gently steers it back to safety. Meanwhile, adaptive cruise control systems monitor the distance between a driver’s vehicle and the one ahead of it. If the vehicle gets too close to the other one, the system applies the brakes to prevent a collision. However, some drivers are failing to remain alert once these systems are activated and are depending on the technology to keep them safe. As a result, the study found that drivers who use the systems are almost twice as likely to engage in distracted driving behaviors than those who don’t use them.

The authors of the study said that automakers need to do more to educate motorists about advanced safety technologies. Specifically, they need to understand that these systems can’t make sophisticated driving decisions and aren’t capable of autonomous driving.

Individuals injured in distracted driving motor vehicle accidents are often left with large medical bills and other expenses. In order to recover those costs, it might be necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver who caused the crash. An attorney might be able to assist victims in this process by collecting evidence, preparing the lawsuit and negotiating a fair settlement.