When you see a major crash or hear of another life lost in a Colorado car accident, it’s easy to imagine that death is around every corner when you’re driving. It’s important to remember that car safety technology has actually made driving safer than it’s been at any point in history. When you look at where cars started and the features they now have, it’s a remarkable journey. While you can never completely erase the possibility of human error, technological advancements do account for some common sources of driver error. Keep reading to learn more about how cars have become safer over the decades—and if you’ve been involved in a crash, call Colorado Car Accident Attorneys at 303-567-7981 to set up a consultation now.
Just how big of a role does human error play in car crashes? There has been a ton of research done on this very topic, with answers starting as low as 94%. The U.S. Office of Motor Vehicle Management reports that 98% of crashes are the result of human error. No matter how much safety technology improves, focusing on your own safe driving skills is the best way to decrease your accident risk.
Some of the biggest advancements in this field have come about due to more rigorous crash testing standards. Protocols have evolved rapidly over the years to account for different types of crashes, various driving speeds, and passengers of varying ages and sizes. Tests are conducted by agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have made their tests much more comprehensive over the years. Their crash tests evaluate vehicles’ performance in rear-end, head-on, side-impact, and rollover crashes, among other types of collisions.
In response to increasingly aggressive testing standards, manufacturers have had to step up their game and make cars safer each and every year. Failure to do so means performing poorly on these tests and either not making it to market or comparing poorly to their peers.
Driver assistance features do a lot to minimize the effect of human error on driving. You tend to drift out of your lane while driving? Many cars now beep to alert you when you begin leaving your lane. Have a tendency to get distracted while driving? Some models track your eye gaze and sound an alarm if you are not looking at the road. Worried about pedestrians on your busy street? Backup cameras make it easier than ever to avoid hitting pedestrians and bicyclists. Features like adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and collision avoidance technology have prevented thousands of crashes over the years, and new technology is always being developed.
Crumple zones work to reduce the force of a crash. They go one step further to keep occupants safe by redistributing the force of the collision so that the occupants do not take the brunt of it. Crumple zones allow weaker materials to absorb the initial impact of the crash, slowing down deceleration and consequently reducing the force of the collision. When you see a vehicle with areas that have crumpled and been completely crushed, leaving the occupied areas intact, that’s a sign that the crumple zones have done their job and protected the occupants.
As research on crash physics has evolved, manufacturers have been able to tweak their placement of crumple zones to better protect occupants.
Connectivity technology has changed how vehicles interact with each other and the environment around them. Consider the driver assistance features discussed above. Many of them rely on a vehicle’s ability to sense the location of other vehicles, anticipate their speed, and respond to their acceleration and deceleration. Communication features also allow for prompt access to emergency care; a growing number of vehicles have built-in crash detection technology that automatically calls 911 when the vehicle has crashed and the occupants are unresponsive.
Although vehicles continue to get safer and safer, there’s still no shortage of car collisions in Colorado. If you’ve been injured in a crash and you want to pursue compensation, call Colorado Accident Attorneys at 303-567-7981 or contact us online to schedule a consultation now.
In the scenic yet unpredictable terrains of Colorado, the Colorado Accident Attorneys shine as a paragon of proficiency in the complex domain of personal injury law. Tailored especially for those who have been caught in the unforeseen storms of accidents in this beautiful state, our dedication to championing the rights of the injured is steadfast and unparalleled. Our accomplished team of accident lawyers delves deep into the multifaceted aftermath of accidents, focusing on the trio of hardships – be it physical pain, emotional trauma, or financial burdens – that victims and their loved ones often grapple with. Our mission transcends beyond merely deciphering legal jargon. At its... View full business profile here: Colorado Accident Attorneys
