Modern cars come with far more technology designed to prevent accidents than older ones did. For instance, adaptive cruise control and lane assist. Yet accident statistics remain high. Does this mean that the technology is not as good as manufacturers claim?
No. Rather it means that drivers do not use it as well as they should.
Familiarity can breed contempt
It’s not simply a matter of teaching people how to use these technologies either. Research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that once drivers became familiar with how Advanced Driver Assistance Technology (ADAS) worked, they began to rely on it too much. They allowed themselves to be distracted by other things because they believed the technology would keep them safe.
When drivers were new to the technology, they tended to be less distracted, perhaps because they were yet to build so much faith in it and made sure they paid attention to the road.
Technology can always malfunction
Remember, these technologies are not of the same level as that which driverless cars use. Drivers still need to pay careful attention to the road. What’s more, even a supposedly driverless car can go wrong and cause an accident, as has happened on numerous occasions.
While the future may be driverless, for the moment, drivers are crucial, and the person in charge of a vehicle has a responsibility toward all other road users to stay alert and in charge of their vehicle.
If a driver does not do that, they need to be prepared to face the consequences if they cause a crash that injures you. Seek legal help to understand more.