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Human error frequently results in motor vehicle collisions.  While victims can hold careless drivers accountable by consulting with a Ft. Myers personal injury lawyer like Randall Spivey and pursuing a damage claim, no amount of financial compensation can make up for permanent injuries or deaths in a collision. 

Unfortunately, drivers continue to make careless choices and dangerous mistakes.  Driving while fatigued, for example, is one of many high-risk behaviors that motorists may engage in and it is a behavior that causes up to 7,500 fatal motor vehicle accidents annually, according to CNN.

While public education and state laws on safe driving aim to minimize the risks of crashes caused by human error, mistakes cannot be entirely prevented as long as people remain in control of vehicles. Technological advances, however, can significantly cut down on collisions caused by careless drivers.

CNN indicates that automation built into vehicles is already helping to reduce drowsy driving crash risks; however, the breadth of new advances means that tech products could actually end up doing a lot more to make the roads safer for motorists.

Do Hi-tech Features in Vehicles Really Help?

There are a number of different tech features currently built into cars (or coming in the near future) that could make a big difference in terms of how safe vehicles are.  For example:

• Tire pressure monitoring systems can detect when tire air pressure is low, which reduces the chances of a tire blowout causing a motorist to lose control of a vehicle.
• Adaptive cruise control can adjust the brake and throttle on a vehicle so you can cruise on a highway and not always have to manually adjust your speed.  Adaptive cruise control helps to keep your car a safe distance from the vehicle in front, reducing the chances of a rear-end crash. The systems can also react when someone cuts you off and can slam on the brakes hard if a potential collision seems imminent.
• Forward collision warning systems detect obstacles in the path of a vehicle and issue a warning or even cause the car to brake automatically when the car is about to hit someone or something.
• Blind spot detection systems are a newer technology still undergoing research, but the technology aims to alert motorists to people or objects in their blind spots.
• Lane departure warning systems alert drivers to the fact they are drifting out of their lanes unintentionally.  Some systems just issue a warning, while others will actually take over control and either slow the vehicle down or gently move the car back into its lane when it detects a deviation from where the car is supposed to be.
• Adaptive headlights are able to allow motorists to see more clearly by following the direction of the vehicle.

Driverless cars are also moving ever-closer to becoming a reality for motorists, which could make an even bigger impact on safety by taking much of the control away from motorists. It is important to remember, however, that technologies can fail and aren't going to be the solution to preventing every collision. 

Drivers need to take responsibility and when they fail to do so, a personal injury lawyer can help victims hold them accountable for losses they cause. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident, call The Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. today for assistance.