Many Colorado drivers are excited about the potential for increased safety presented by many newer vehicle technologies. Systems like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist have developed out of the research into autonomous driving. They make it possible for cars to sense distance from those ahead and stay in their lanes. These technologies have significant potential to make the roadways safer, making accidents less likely. However, some road safety advocates warn that such promising technologies may actually increase the risk of dangerous collisions when they’re used improperly.
In particular, when drivers turn on their adaptive cruise control and get going, they may be more likely to drive while distracted behaviors such as texting or surfing the internet behind the wheel. They may put too much faith in the vehicle to manage the road on its own, warn researchers at the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. According to a study released by the group, drivers often fail to properly understand how these partially autonomous systems function. They are intended to support drivers and make their operation safer, not to allow drivers to take their mind, sight and attention away from the steering wheel and road ahead.
These systems are often ill-equipped to respond to emergency situations or unexpected developments on the road. They are meant to help drivers keep their cars safe and moving forward, not to substitute for the human intelligence of the driver.
Distracted driving is a major safety threat, taking many lives every year on American roads and injuring many thousands more. Someone who has been injured in a motor vehicle accident due to another party’s negligence may work with a personal injury lawyer to pursue compensation for damages.