Decreasing Driver Error and Increasing Safety: The Benefits of Warning Systems

While some advances in technology have proven to be dangerous to drivers—the distraction of smartphones, for example—other advances have proven vital in protecting drivers from the carelessness and negligence of other drivers. Once such advancement is car warning systems.

Car Safety Warning Systems

The two most popular warning systems that are already being integrated into car designs are forward, rear, and side collision avoidance systems and lane departure recognition systems. Both of these systems have proven to decrease accident potential and lower passenger injury rates. Research data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the U.S. Department of Transportation have shown a direct link between the presence of these systems and a significant reduction in car accident rates. These systems work in the following ways:

• Collision warning systems. Systems that warn the driver when an object is too close to the car, and in some cases automatically brakes to avoid the obstacle, are referred to as collision warning systems. The U.S. Department of Transportation predicts that the presence of these systems will be 51% effective in reducing car accident potential. Recent studies have already shown a 33.8% reduction in at-fault collisions, and a 14% reduction in insurance claims for owners of cars with the system installed.  
• Veering and lane change detection systems. These systems employ sensors and cameras placed on the sides and the undercarriage of vehicles. These sensors detect when the vehicle drifts out of a lane or off the road, as well as if there are any obstacles in its path. NHTSA predicts that these types of warning systems could help reduce merging and lane change accidents by over 37 percent, and decrease veering accidents by more than 27 percent.

While these systems go a long way in warning drivers when unexpected things happen, they should not be seen as a replacement for attentive driving. Having a warning systems like one of these does not give drivers permission to text behind the wheel. They are designed to work with the driver to prevent accidents, not to free up the driver to do things other than driving.

Andrew Kim Represents Car Accident Victims

If you find yourself a victim of a distracted driver’s negligence, call the Andrew Kim Law Firm. We will get to the bottom of your car accident and hold the negligent driver responsible. Call today.