As a North Charleston personal injury lawyer , I always urge drivers to get enough sleep before they get behind the wheel, but sometimes that can be difficult. According to a recent AAA study, two in every five drivers have admitted to nodding off at the wheel. Thankfully, new technology is addressing this issue.
Crash avoidance systems, including lane departure, collision warnings and electronic stability control are being introduced in cars to prevent rollovers and car accidents caused by sleepy drivers. The systems are available on most new cars, and the data it is actually working looks promising.
AAA’s report claims nearly one in six fatal crashes, 17%, involves a drowsy driver, and one in eight crashes result in serious injury. Thankfully, crash avoidance systems have been found to reduce fatal single-vehicle crashes by half.
As a North Charleston car accident attorney, , I believe new car technology can help protect drivers and passengers on the road. If you’re a car owner looking for technology to make you safer in your vehicle you should especially look for the lane departure warning system, which IIHS rates this the most likely to reduce fatal accidents.
Technology, however, can’t be the sole answer to safe driving. Drivers must be responsible. I urge drivers to get at least six hours sleep before a long drive, driving during the day or at times when you’re normally awake and taking a break every two hours or 100 miles.