The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is taking aim at the rising number of accidents tied to substance abuse and aggressive driving. The NTSB is, controversially, suggesting changes to new car technology. If these recommendations are enacted into law, the relationship between drivers and their cars may change.
The NTSB and the U.S. Department of Transportation are united in the push for cars to play a role in preventing drunk driving. Alcohol impairment detection technology would stop a car from operating, or limit its operation, if the driver is determined to be impaired. This technology could take several different forms.
One suggestion is to have sensors inside the car tracking the driver’s head and eye movement. Another suggestion is to include systems that could detect the alcohol itself in the driver. Finally, some suggest that cameras and sensors could track the movement of the vehicle to identify driving that could indicate driver impairment. Each of these technologies comes with potential drawbacks.
With more than 10,000 people dying every year on American roads in drunk driving accidents, there seems to be significant support for a technological solution to the problem. Too many serious injuries result from impaired drivers. If in-car technology can prevent these injuries and deaths without disrupting the lawful use of our cars, that technology should be pursued.
The NTSB reiterated its desire for new vehicles to come equipped with intelligent speed adaptation (ISA) systems. Some versions of this technology will likely be acceptable to consumers, but others are likely to cause quite an uproar. The NTSB is pushing for any system that would help combat speed-related crashes. It has not expressed a preference for one version or another.
One example of an ISA system is a dashboard light or warning tone that comes on when the vehicle is driven faster than the speed limit. Another example is a car that won’t exceed the speed limit, regardless of the driver’s actions behind the wheel. That step is sure to draw criticism.
Some studies show that speed differential is a greater contributor to accidents than speed itself. Two cars going 10 mph over the speed limit is less dangerous than one going 10 over and another going 10 under. Since only new cars would have this technology, it could lead to an increase in accidents caused by speed differential.
Technology has improved driving safety in countless ways over the years. Unfortunately, there are still serious injuries and deaths on the roads every day. If you’ve been involved in a car or truck accident, you need to speak to a lawyer about your rights. Call Ted B. Lyon & Associates in Dallas at 877-Ted-Lyon / 877-833-5966 or contact us online.
