Latest Blogs

Heidi King, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Deputy Administrator, told the House Energy and Commerce Committee during a joint subcommittee hearing on June 20, 2019, “Consumers are more likely to upgrade to newer, cleaner, safer cars if costly regulations don’t raise the price beyond consumers’ means.”

Ms. King said, “We know that newer cars are safer and cleaner than older cars. We also know that consumers can choose whether to keep their older car or to purchase a newer, safer, cleaner car. This is relevant since there are already more cars than adults in our country. Standards that increase the price of a new car can hinder safety by discouraging people from replacing their older cars with cleaner, safer, newer cars.”

In 2018, NHTSA, together with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), proposed a Safer Affordable Fuel Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule. This rule would establish new fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards for the model years 2021-2026 passenger cars and light trucks.

“NHTSA and EPA are working together to ensure that this important rule will rely on the best possible engineering and economic information, data, and science, and that we review the comments thoroughly in order to assure a final rule that is reasonable, appropriate, transparent, and consistent with the law given current facts and conditions,” said Ms. King.

The United States Automobile Association (USAA) says the U.S. is in the midst of a technology-driven renaissance in car safety and provides the following guide to today’s new safety features:

360-Degree Camera Parking: Uses multiple cameras to provide a 360-degree, bird's-eye view of the car and its surroundings.

Adaptive Cruise Control: Actively maintains a safe following distance. Some will stop the vehicle if traffic comes to a standstill and then bring it back to the targeted speed when traffic allows.

Adaptive Headlights: Lamps increase visibility by moving to the left or right during turns and up and down as the vehicle encounters hills.

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): Detects possible forward crashes, first alerting you and then automatically applying the brake if you don't brake fast enough or hard enough.

Blind-Spot Warning (BSW): Alerts you to the presence of an object in the area that's not visible through side-view mirrors.

Cabin Camera: With parents in mind, this lets you observe what's happening in the backseat.

Drowsiness Detection: Using data from the car, like the frequency with which you stray from the center of your lane, it encourages you to stop and take a break.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC): Detects a lack of traction during extreme steering maneuvers and helps keep the vehicle going in the intended direction rather than “spinning out” or “plowing out.”

Forward-Collision Warning (FCW): Provides a visual and/or audio warning of an impending crash with something ahead of you.

Head-Up Display: Puts speed, navigation directions and other key data directly in your line of sight so you don't have to look away from the road.

Lane-Centering Assist (LCA): Provides ongoing steering to keep your vehicle in its lane.

Lane-Change Warning: Cautions you if you signal for a lane change while there's another vehicle in the blind spot.

Lane-Departure Warning (LDW): Alerts you when you drift over lane markers.

Lane-Keeping Assist (LKA): Automatically steers the vehicle to prevent lane drifting.

Left-Turn Crash Avoidance: Designed for low-speed turns at traffic lights and intersections, it warns you if you're turning in front of another car.

Parking Assist: Uses sensors to automatically parallel park a vehicle.

Pedestrian Detection: Uses sensors to alert you to pedestrians crossing your vehicle's path; some systems will automatically apply the brakes.

Naples Car Accident Attorney Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. said, “We encourage vehicle shoppers to consider vehicles with new safety features which can help prevent accidents. However, should you or a loved one be injured in an accident, we are available 24/7 to assist you, and there are no costs or attorney fees unless we make a monetary recovery for you.”

Naples Car Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.