Could Forward Warning Collision Systems Be the Future of North Carolina Auto Accident Prevention?

July 24, 2012, by Michael A. DeMayo

A stunning new study put out by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) suggests that the next era of North Carolina auto accident prevention may be dominated by a technology known as the Forward Collision Warning System.

The HLDI studied collision data for Acura and Mercedes vehicles equipped with this tech – which automatically causes the car to brake when a threat of a crash gets detected – caused a statistically significant drop in claims – down 14%.

Another technology, adaptive headlights, also reduced claims in a sample group by approximately 10%. Curiously, the HLDI data found that a third technology, Lane Departure Warning, had no statistically significant effect on claims. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) appears to be very excited about the potential of Forward Collision Warning Systems, in particular. Experts there believe that this technology may be able to slash the number of rear-end crashes on our roads by 15% annually. Given that there are 1.7 million of these kind of crashes a year in the U.S. – many thousands of which happen in North Carolina – prepare to be seeing a lot of car commercials boasting about the “competitive advantage” of this kind of technology.

The U.S.’s Chief Auto Safety Regulator, David Strickland of the NHTSA, has made it the mission of his agency to reduce crashes. If more data on Forward Collision Warning Technology bears out the safety advantages, this feature might soon become mandatory in all new vehicles. It could signal a sea change.

Of course, while positive shifts in auto accident prevention technology are always good news, if you or someone you care about was recently the victim of a car crash, you are probably more interested in picking up the pieces than you are in fantasizing about a “crash-free” future.

The DeMayo Law team has extensive resources and passionate people who can help you come to terms with your rights and responsibilities and recover damages…and regain a sense of control over your life and next steps.