New Car Technologies Keeping Arkansas Drivers Safe

Driving is an essential part of our lives, enabling us to get to and from work at the Park Plaza Mall, take our children to school at Pinnacle View Middle School, see a movie at the Riverdale 10, run errands, and get wherever else we need to go. Unfortunately, car accidents are an inevitable consequence of driving. Most of us will be involved in multiple car accidents during our lifetime. If we are lucky, they will just be minor fender-benders. But all too often, car accidentsresult in serious injuries to those involved, or even death (37,461 people in the US died in car accidents in 2016*).

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a majority of vehicle crashes are tied to human error. Technology has the ability to significantly reduce crashes by helping ensure drivers are alert and aware of potential threats, and shifting some parts of automobile operation from the driver to the vehicle.

Automatic Emergency Braking Systems

When the AEBs detect an impending forward crash with another vehicle, the systems first alert the driver to take corrective action, and then automatically applies braking if the driver does not.

A pedestrian automatic emergency braking (PAEB) system, also known as frontal pedestrian impact mitigation braking, is an emerging safety technology that provides automatic braking for vehicles that are about to hit a pedestrian.

Forward Collision

A forward collision warning (FCW) system is an advanced safety technology that monitors a vehicle’s speed, the speed of the vehicle in front of it, and the distance between the vehicles. If it appears that your vehicle is about to rear end the car in front of you, an audio and probably also a visual alert will go off.

Lane Assist & Lane Keeping

A lane departure warning (LDW) system alerts drivers when they unintentionally drift out of their lanes without a turn signal. On some vehicles, if it appears that a car is leaving its lane unintentionally, lane keeping support (LKS) systems kick in to correct steering, braking and/or acceleration in such a way to bring the car back into its lane at a proper speed.

Backup Camera

Backup cameras have been around for quite some time at this point. I, the author, did not feel this was something I would benefit from. But when I purchased my first car with a backup video camera, I saw how useful they really were. First there are the obvious safety benefits; the ability to make sure that you are not about to back up into a person or animal. But the camera also makes parking a breeze, by showing you exactly how close you are to what’s behind you. If your car didn’t come with a pre-installed backup camera, easy-to-install and inexpensive aftermarket kits are available for purchase.

Blind Spot Detection

Blind spot detection (BSD) systems use digital camera imaging technology or radar sensor technology to detect vehicles in adjacent lanes, and provide drivers with an audio or visual warning when vehicles approach.

911 Notification

An automatic crash notification (ACN) system is an emerging safety technology designed to notify emergency responders that a crash has occurred and provide its location, without any intervention required by the vehicles passengers since they may be incapacitated.

If you have been injured in a car accident, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Certain car accident injuries such as brain, back, and internal organ injuries may take days or even weeks for symptoms to develop. By getting examined right away, you can receive the treatment you need in a timely manner.

Please contact the Duncan Firm today to schedule a no cost, no pressure car accident consultation. We serve clients in Little Rock, across Arkansas, and beyond.

*https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/driver-assistance-technologies