The Future of Vehicle Safety
The Future of Vehicle Safety
The day when your car can protect you from yourself and others is getting closer than you may think.
Motor Age — Hardly a day goes by where the story of a distracted driver and a resulting serious traffic accident isn’t reported by the local news. Modern conveyances are often accused of causing the distraction; cell phones, Facebook updates and stereo tuners tuned a bit too high are all sited as factors leading to the distraction. But lets be honest with one another. The morning commute alone can be a mind-numbing experience, traveling the same route in the same traffic, day after day. I admit, there have been mornings where I’ve arrived at work but for the life of me, I can’t remember the drive in!
How many close encounters can you recall? The trucker that blew the red light just as you were pulling out? The pass you intended to make only to find another vehicle taking up the lane space beside you?
Here are some stats to consider. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that over 10 million motor vehicle accidents occur each year in our country. Those result in nearly 33,000 deaths a year…that’s four per hour folks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for people ages 4 to 35. Injuries from motor vehicle accidents cost us citizens over $99 billion dollars each year in lost production and medical expenses.
Imagine the impact if these statistics could be reduced by 50, 60 or even 80 percent?
The Technology Exists
There are numerous advances in production technology that all aim at keeping the driver safe from injury. Antilock braking systems and traction control systems both work to aid the driver in maintaining control when he attempts an emergency maneuver. Airbags and passive restraints seek to prevent or reduce injury when the inevitable impact occurs. These are all examples of systems that have been in common use for some time now.
Source: Motor Age
