In 2015, an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) study revealed that about 2.2% of vehicle owners possessed some form of hand-held devices. Drivers using these devices sometimes become distracted and this leads to crashes. In-vehicle safety technology is moving forward rapidly and this can be seen in radar-based collision avoidance systems, in-vehicle GPS trackers, surveillance cameras, among other innovations. In the early stages of their introduction, in-vehicle safety technologies were mostly installed in luxury vehicles. However, in recent years, these devices are also becoming common in mass-production cars. If you are a car owner who is looking for vehicle-tracking solutions offered by EyeRide, click for info.
Highway and vehicle insurance authorities in the United States are calling on automakers to install front collision avoidance systems in their light vehicles before September 2022. In-vehicle safety technology is becoming standard for all types of vehicles and therefore, drivers and fleet managers are encouraged to keep themselves aware of emerging automobile safety technology. With effective on-board vehicle safety devices, there will be fewer accidents, road safety will be improved, and the productivity of fleet companies will increase.
Avoiding Driver Distractions
On the road, drivers often face a number of distractions while driving. For example, in the United States of America, there are more than 8 fatalities and 1000 people are injured every day through road crashes caused by distracted drivers. But with collision avoidance systems in place, these incidents can be minimized. Mobile phones, computers, and other hand-held devices continue to be a source of distraction to drivers. If crash avoidance systems come into play, they can serve as drivers’ secondary eyes and ears.
Distraction can also come from other sources such as eating, drinking, and even listening to music while on the road. Drivers are human beings and they cannot always be perfect, but they need to get better at using modern technology to protect themselves, and the lives of other road users.
The benefits of in-vehicle safety systems are very well understood. In one study conducted by the IIHS, it was discovered that vehicles that had front crash prevention systems could be were less likely to be involved in accidents. The study looked at police data from crash events in 22 US states from 2010 to 2014. It was noted that cars that had front crash avoidance systems were also less likely to hit other vehicles from the rear. Automatic braking systems can also reduce rear-end and front crashes by large proportions.
The Problem of Driver Complacency
While the benefits of in-vehicle safety technologies are clear, some drivers are complacent about their driving behavior. Some feel that they can stay safe without using that technology. The lack of interest in car safety technology also stems from the fact that some drivers are ignorant about what the technology can do for them. Car owners also fear that in-vehicle safety technology may invade their privacy.
Conclusion
In summary, on-board vehicle safety devices can save lives and make the roads safer for drivers and pedestrians. But, until fleet companies and drivers adopt them on a global scale, the world will continue to endure entirely preventable carnage on the roads.
