The highways of North Carolina may grow safer in the near future as modern collision avoidance technologies are developed and deployed on motor vehicles. Some experts on the subject have stated a preference for a legislative mandate requiring the installation and use of some of these new technologies, and they point to accident statistics for support.
Approximately 23 percent of all highway accidents began because a driver ran off the road. Lane departure warning sensors may be able to help prevent some of these accidents, along with the 9 percent of accidents caused by lane changes. Similarly, the 28 percent of highway car accidents caused by rear-end impacts may be ameliorated by forward collision sensors and automatic braking systems. Adaptive cruise control and electronic stability control can also help make the driving process safer. A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicated that electronic stability control could reduce accidents caused by a loss of control by approximately 70 percent for SUVs and 40 percent for standard passenger cars.
Commercial drivers are increasingly making use of advanced safety features for the vehicles that they pilot. Onboard monitoring, speed limiting technology and tire pressure monitoring can all help to make the vehicles they pilot safer for both themselves and for the other occupants of the interstate. Studies indicate that as many as 4,659 commercial vehicle crashes could be prevented every year with electronic stability control.
It is the responsibility of all operators of motor vehicles in North Carolina to operate their vehicles in accordance with the safety regulation of the state. If someone has been injured in an accident that has been caused by an irresponsible driver or by insufficient maintenance to a vehicle, they may wish to consult with an attorney about pursuing legal remedies.
Source: National Transportation Safety Board, “Mandate Motor Vehicle Collision Avoidance Technologies”, December 01, 2014