The development of increasingly advanced technology has both helped drivers to stay safer in certain ways and to experience heightened safety risks in others. Notably, safety features like backup cameras and lane change warning systems have helped to prevent an untold number of crashes. But, the rise of smartphones has led to distracted driving rates that were unheard of just a few decades ago.
Understanding the benefits and limitations of technology can help drivers to make more informed choices when trying to reach their destinations safely. For example, drivers may be curious as to whether they should invest in models that feature extensive advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) when purchasing a vehicle. An informed purchase could ultimately mean the difference between enhanced safety or a missed opportunity to stay as safe as one could be.
Weighing one’s options
ADAS generally use various cameras and sensors to give drivers a better sense of what is happening in the world around them. Once they detect a potential safety hazard, they can – depending on the type of ADAS in question – warn a motorist to take certain actions or they can take certain corrective actions on their own.
The benefits of these systems are undeniable. A new study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates that over the next 30 years, ADAS systems are likely to prevent 37 million auto accidents, 250,000 deaths and 14 million injuries. These figures are stunning. However, it’s important to avoid complacency, even if your vehicle is outfitted with the best ADAS systems that money can buy.
ADAS technology, like all technology, is capable of committing errors or being affected by defects. As a result, it remains important to stay alert at the wheel, regardless of how “smart” your car has become. Otherwise, you could face a potentially life-altering injury scenario that might otherwise have been avoided.