According to the National Transportation Safety Board, there is a serious risk posed by drivers who change lanes without warning on Maryland highways and across the nation. The results of these accidents can be deadly as people are forced off roadways or into other cars. Technology is available to help prevent these accidents by alerting drivers if they are moving too close to obstacles or other vehicles on the road. The early warning can help alert drivers to the problem and allow them to make the corrections necessary to avoid a collision.
These advancements are readily available, but they are currently optional on most cars. The list of such technologies includes forward collision warning, automatic braking, electronic stability control, lane departure warnings and adaptive cruise control. Commercial vehicles can also be fitted with onboard monitoring systems that allow employers to monitor the driving habits of their employees. In addition, speed-limiting features prevent drivers from accelerating beyond pre-set speeds and can help lower the risk of accidents.
There is currently a push by the NTSB to make more of these features mandatory on all new cars that are being sold around the nation. Research suggest that mandatory installation of some of these technologies could reduce the number of car accidents that occur across the country. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that loss-of-control accidents are reduced by 40 percent when cars are fitted with stability control systems.
Regardless of the technological features available on a car, drivers are still expected to maintain control of their vehicles. A distracted driver poses a significant threat on the roadways. If someone was injured in an accident as the result of another person’s negligence or distracted driving, they may have a number of options, including a personal injury lawsuit, that might result in financial compensation.