You know that distracted driving is a significant safety problem. In fact, you probably notice it everyday as you drive to work or run errands, seeing Florida drivers do things like eat a meal, talk on the phone, look at their phone or even put on make-up. Distractions can come in many forms, and they are all dangerous.
Anything that takes a driver’s attention from the task of driving safely and paying attention to what is going on outside of the vehicle is risky. Technology is the source of various types of distraction, but it may also be a very important component of preventing it as well. Developers and automakers are working on ways to implement technology so that it actually improves safety and reduce the chance of an accident.
Advances in safety
Many newer vehicles now come with something that many refer to as infotainment systems. These are the integrated systems that control the radio, GPS and other features of the vehicle. They can be very distracting, and a driver can cause a serious accident even if he or she is simply looking for another station on the radio.
In response to seeing how these systems can be dangerous, there is now a focus on including things that improve a driver’s experience without being too distracted. Some of these things include:
- Voice-controlled features – Instead of requiring that people actually touch a screen or turn a knob to control a feature, it is now possible to control many of these things using voice commands.
- Heads-up displays – These are displays that can alert a driver without causing him or her to look down. Messages and information would appear in the windshield, eliminating the need to look away.
- Wheel-mounted controls – By including certain types of controls on the steering wheel, a driver could do certain things, like change the temperature or radio station, without having to look at the control panel.
These are a few examples of how technology can actually make the roads safer. Even with the integration of these features and others, each driver is still responsible for his or her actions behind the wheel. No amount of safety features make up for poor decisions and reckless driving.
If you are the victim of an accident caused by a distracted driver, you could have grounds to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. You would be wise to explore this option by seeking an assessment of your case as soon as possible after your accident. This will allow you to move forward with the appropriate course of action in a timely manner.
