A study published by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety suggests that drivers in Kentucky and across the U.S. overestimate the abilities of some vehicle safety technologies. Specifically, drivers seem to believe automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring systems are actually more powerful. The results of the study raise concerns about how Americans will adapt to advancing safety systems and self-driving vehicles.
According to AAA, many drivers confuse forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems. More than 40 percent of the drivers studied were unaware of the differences between them; collision warning systems give the driver a warning only while braking systems will apply the brakes for the driver.
Drivers may also rely on blind spot monitoring technology too much. Roughly 25 percent of drivers didn’t check their blind spots because they thought the monitoring system took care of that. Almost 80 percent of the drivers studied overestimated the system, thinking it was more capable in detecting pedestrians, bicycles and other vehicles.
Roughly 29 percent of drivers who used adaptive cruise control were comfortable doing other things while driving with the system active, rather than paying attention to the road. Driver assistance systems require that drivers be ready to take control at any point. According to estimates by federal government agencies, driver assistance systems may prevent 30 percent of car accident fatalities and 40 percent of crashes overall.
Someone who has been injured in a car accident may be able to recover damages for lost wages, medical bills and more. An attorney with experience in personal injury law might be able to help by organizing evidence and identifying parties that may be liable. An attorney could negotiate a settlement with at-fault parties or draft and file a complaint.
