In their “10 Most Wanted” list of safety improvements for accident prevention, the National Transportation and Safety Board has recommended that several high-tech safety options now featured only in higher-end vehicles be mandated by the government to keep all U.S. drivers safer. Critics, however, say the measures would be too costly.
According to the Associated Press, the recommended mandates would significantly improve the safety of vehicles on the road and reduce accidents as well. Supporters say the cost would be minimal while others say it could increase the price on a new vehicle by thousands of dollars.
Such technologies can prevent accidents that involve running off the road, rear-ending another vehicle and lane-change maneuvers, the [NTSB] said. Those types of accidents account for 60 percent of fatal highway accidents. There were more than 32,000 traffic deaths in the U.S. last year.
The Obama administration “should establish performance standards where still needed and mandate that these technologies be included as standard equipment in cars and commercial vehicles alike,” the board said in a statement. “With such promising potential to improve highway safety, this technology should be robustly deployed throughout the passenger and commercial fleets.”
Electronic stability control, which automatically applies brakes to individual wheels to restore control, is already required for new passenger vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds. But large pickup trucks, 15-passenger vans and commercial trucks that exceed that weight aren’t included in the requirement.
Lane departure warnings alert drivers when a car wanders into another lane without signaling. Adaptive cruise control uses sensors to read traffic conditions and modulate the throttle and brakes to keep the car a safe distance from the vehicle in front of it. Forward collision warning systems monitor the roadway in front of the car and warn the driver of an impending collision. Some forward-collision systems will apply the brakes if the driver doesn’t take action to avoid an imminent collision. Similarly, automatic braking applies brakes to avoid an impending collision with another vehicle, person or obstacle.
While the NTSB can’t pass laws like the one they are recommending, their recommendations are fairly weighty with lawmakers.
Houston Auto Accident Attorney
As a Houston-area car accident lawyer, I see countless accidents, each unique. Every one of these accidents has aspects that would have likely been preventable. When you know an injury accident didn’t have to happen, it can be particularly disturbing when you are suffering the physical and mental fallout of the crash.
When you are hurt in a serious car accident, you need someone on your side seeking justice on your behalf. Contact me today to discuss your accident and the legal options available to you. Call 281-677-3959 today for a free consultation.
