Collision avoidance systems are helping to make roads in West Virginia and across the United States safer. A study, which was conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, examined the effectiveness of lane departure warning systems and blind spot warning systems.
IIHS researchers gathered crash data from 5,000 accidents that took place in 2015 and that were caused by lane departures and blind spots. It was found that cars with collision avoidance technology were involved in 11 percent fewer one-vehicle, head-on and sideswipe accidents than vehicles without the systems. When crashes did occur, the technology reduced injuries by 21 percent. The study estimates that 55,000 injuries would have been prevented in 2015 if all vehicles had lane departure technology installed.
While the study shows that collision avoidance systems save lives, a representative of IIHS said that some drivers are turning the systems off because they find the warning beeps irritating. To address the issue, future vehicle models may use vibrations instead of sounds to warn drivers. Crash avoidance systems are optional in 57 percent of 2017 new vehicle models. However, only 6 percent of 2017 vehicles come with lane departure warning systems as standard equipment, and only 9 percent come with blind spot warning systems.
When there is a serious car crash, police officers thoroughly investigate the scene to determine what caused the accident. Attorneys representing accident victims can use the results of this investigation and other evidence as the basis for a personal injury lawsuit filed against the driver responsible for the crash. This type of lawsuit could lead to a financial settlement that covers damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, property loss and pain and suffering.
Source: CNBC, “New report shows how many accidents, injuries collision avoidance systems prevent,” Phil LeBeau, Aug. 23, 2017