Two safety features in cars that could actually lead to crashes

Whether you are a commuter trying to make your way through rush-hour traffic, a parent trying to get your kid to soccer practice or any of the other drivers on Denver’s roads, we can all appreciate the features in our cars that make driving easier and more fun. Two features that are often offered as options in newer vehicles are lane-assist and adaptive cruise control. These features are marketed as ways to make driving safer, by removing human error at least to a certain extent. However, do these features really reduce car accidents?

Semi-automated features may not be so safe

According to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, these safety features may not be so safe after all. People tend to not be as alert when behind the wheel if they depend to heavily on these features, which increases the risk that a serious car crash could occur.

The study noted that motorists put too much trust in lane-assist and adaptive cruise control, and often do not understand how to use these features or do not use them in the way intended. These motorists are almost twice as apt to drive distracted, compared to motorists who are not using lane-assist or adaptive cruise control.

A false sense of security?

Lane-assist gently tugs the steering wheel if the vehicle is drifting out of its lane. Adaptive cruise control speeds up or slows down the vehicle automatically if the vehicle is following too close behind another vehicle.

However, these semi-autonomous features should not lull drivers into a false sense of security. It is essential that motorists continue to pay attention to the road and keep their hands on the wheel while driving, even if their vehicles have these features. Drivers who are distracted, relying on their car to do the driving for them, can cause serious collisions.

Dealing with the aftermath of a distracted driving accident

Distracted driving accidents can cause serious injuries. Whether it is a rear-end accident, someone broadsiding another vehicle or even a head-on collision, if a driver isn’t paying attention to the road, the situation can become dire. Victims of distracted driving accidents may incur significant medical bills. They may lose out on income from being unable to work while they recover from their injuries. They may experience significant pain and suffering, along with emotional distress.

So, a person who incurred damages in an auto collision caused by a distracted driver may want to pursue a personal injury claim. Driving to work, to activities or running errands should not result in a crash caused by someone relying too heavy on their car’s automated safety features. Distracted driving may form the basis of a negligence claim, under the right circumstances. Our website on motor vehicle accidents may help those in the Denver metro area who are suffering from the damages caused by a distracted driving accident.