Georgia Injury Law Blog
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that partially automated driving systems in several vehicles are not very effective in helping prevent distracted driving. In fact, automated driving systems are likely to increase distracted driving auto accidents.
Partial automated driving systems are present in several automobiles these days. These are not technically self -driven cars, although manufacturers sometimes do position these as self -driven vehicles. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, its researchers analyzed a number of vehicles manufactured by major automakers, including BMW, and found that many of these systems fail at protecting motorists against distractions or helping them focus on the road.
Many motorists prefer partial autonomous systems because they believe these make driving easier. These systems have a few safety features that are automated, but drivers are responsible for tackling many of the routine tasks involved in driving. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety analyzed vehicles manufactured by BMW, Mercedes Benz, Ford and General Motors, and found specific challenges with the way the partial automated systems in these vehicles failed to address problems involving driver distraction. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study found that while many of the systems do have some safeguards in place to protect drivers, these safeguards are not robust enough to help prevent car accidents.
Many of these systems have reminders or alert systems that are designed to help reduce the risk of distracted driving accidents. The analysis by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, however, found that many of these systems do not sound efficient or effective alerts that can alert a motorist in time when his attention is diverted away from the task of driving. In some cases, these alarms are not effective enough, and in other cases, do not sound early enough to prevent a dangerous situation. Also, some of these systems continue to be in use even in potentially hazardous situations, like in cases in which the motorist is not wearing a seat belt or when other safety systems are turned off.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has announced that it is developing a new ratings system that is aimed at encouraging manufacturers to include stronger safeguards in place to make these systems more effective. These ratings will reward automobiles that are designed with systems that cannot be operated unless other safety systems are activated. The ratings will also be designed to encourage manufacturers to install systems that minimize prolonged inattention on the road.
The Atlanta car accident lawyers at Katz Personal Injury lawyers are dedicated to the representation of persons who have suffered injuries in car accidents in the metro Atlanta region and across the state of Georgia. If your loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident, talk to an attorney at our firm and discuss your legal options for a claim for damages. You may qualify for compensation that includes medical costs, lost income and other forms of damages. Talk to a lawyer at our firm and discuss your case. Initial consultations are free.