Auto accidents are on the rise. Approximately 1.19 million people die each year due to road traffic crashes, reveals the World Health Organization in its recent feature. Data from the General Services Administration suggest that 98% of accidents are caused by human error.
The troubling trend of rising car accidents has resulted in the emergence of several innovative technologies that enhance road safety. These technologies can sense potential danger and react in time, thus preventing accidents.
Here, we’ll discuss a few technologies that are contributing to a safe driving experience:
How Common are Car Accidents in the U.S.?
In its Early Estimates, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) projects that 42,795 deaths occurred in motor vehicle crashes in 2022. This figure represents a slight decrease of 0.3% from 2021 when 42,939 fatalities were reported. However, this is still the second-highest number of deadly car accidents in the last decade.
In 2022, the most fatal crashes occurred in high-tourism and high-population states, Texas, California, and Florida. The Lone Star State, Texas, witnessed 4,496 deadly car accidents, which is a 36% increase from 2019.
A close second was California, with 4,407 fatal crashes. Rounding out the top three is the southeasternmost U.S. state, Florida, where 3,652 deadly accidents occurred in 2022.
While 1,058 deaths were reported in Missouri, it is ranked as the second-worst state for teen driver safety. Approximately 72% of drivers in Missouri confess to poor driving habits. Research reveals that St. Louis drivers are among the worst in the U.S. The 2022 St. Louis Crash Report showed a 228% increase in pedestrian fatalities from 2010 to 2012.
Car accidents are traumatic for victims, more so for those who lose their loved ones in them. Many people who survive car accidents suffer from severe physical injuries, which include spinal injuries, broken bones, and traumatic brain injury. Treating car accident injuries is costly. On average, the medical cost for treating accident-related injuries in the hospital setting is $41,570.
A car accident– serious or non-serious– also results in psychological distress. Many times, victims have to seek professional help to overcome the trauma associated with car accidents. All this can take a hit on your finances.
Fortunately, you can recover damages by filing a car accident lawsuit against the at-fault party. Navigating the legal complexities is far from easy, which is why hiring an experienced car accident lawyer will be the best bet.
With car accidents becoming commonplace in the U.S., finding a lawyer won’t be challenging. Especially if you live in Texas or Missouri, you will easily find a lawyer who will help you recover damages for the injuries sustained in the car accident.
A quick search for the best St. Louis car accident lawyer will bring forth a list of competent attorneys. However, if you reside in Texas or Florida, add your city name and hit enter. Rest assured that you’ll find the best lawyers.
Innovative Car Technologies That Make Roads Safe
Here’s a roundup of some innovative technologies that work behind the scenes to keep you safe on the roads:
1. Automatic Emergency Braking
The introduction of the automatic emergency braking system (AEBS) has revolutionized the concept of safety in the automotive industry. Using sensors and technologies, AEBS detects collisions and applies brakes automatically.
A recent study observed that AEBS could prevent rear-end collision accidents by 40% to 50%. The widespread adoption of this technology has the potential to prevent accident-related fatalities and injuries every year. Where humans fail to apply brakes at the right time, AEBS identifies a potential impact and responds autonomously.
However, this system isn’t as effective at night as it is during the day. Also, it is observed that AEBS works better at slow speed.
2. Lane Departure Warning
This feature was introduced in 2008 by Volvo in cars like XC70, V70, and S80. As the name suggests, this feature alerts drivers whenever they drift from their lane.
Vehicles with this technology are outfitted with sensors that detect the road markings and warn the driver in case of lane change. The basic version of this technology only issues warnings whenever the driver is moving out of their lane. However, the advanced version takes control of the steering wheel and adjusts it without the driver’s intervention.
Lincoln MKZ, Chrysler 200, and Cadillac ATS are vehicles equipped with the lane departure warning feature.
3. Transparent Hood
Another feature that contributes to a safe driving experience is the transparent hood. The concept of the transparent hood was first introduced by Land Rover nearly a decade ago.
This technology enhances drivers’ safety by giving them a clear view of the terrain under the vehicle by making the bonnet transparent. This real-time information gives drivers an accurate idea of the type of terrain and the obstacles ahead. As such, they are able to make informed decisions.
To wrap it up, technological advancements have resulted in the emergence of innovative technologies that have changed the way we drive. These technologies aren’t the only ones that are revolutionizing the automotive landscape. Adaptive cruise control, rearview cameras, electronic stability control, and fatigue detection are other tech innovations contributing to a safe driving experience.
