Study Shows that Adaptive Cruise Control Increases Speeding

 Posted on March 24, 2021 in Car Accidents

Everyone knows that speed limits are posted for a reason. The risk of a car accident resulting in serious injury or death increases as the speed of the vehicle increases. However, this does not stop a large percentage of drivers from driving above the speed limit.

Automotive technology has changed dramatically in recent decades. While self-driving cars are still a rare sight, more and more standard vehicles are coming equipped with technology like adaptive cruise control. Although this technology is intended to make driving safer, a recent study suggests that drivers are actually more likely to speed when their vehicle is equipped with this technology.

Safety Benefits May Be Overshadowed by Driver Negligence

Approximately three million people are injured in car accidents each year in the United States. These injuries incur more than $75 billion in medical bills and lost productivity. It is in everyone’s best interests for drivers to drive cautiously and follow traffic laws. Adaptive cruise control adjusts the vehicle’s distance from the vehicle in front of it and reduces the need for the driver to manually adjust the cruise control setting as traffic patterns change. Technology like adaptive cruise control and automatic lane-centering is designed to help drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, stay safe, however, it may have the opposite effect.

A study released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that drivers are 24 percent more likely to speed if their adaptive cruise control was on. Vehicles with partial automation and adaptive cruise control were also 10 percent more likely to be involved in a fatal crash.

Does Vehicle Automation Absolve Drivers of Liability?

If you or a loved one was involved in a car accident involving a vehicle with automation or adaptive features, you wonder how this may affect your right to compensation. Drivers with adaptive cruise control and other technology are not absolved of fault in an accident. The vehicle is still in the driver’s control and the driver still has a duty to drive safely and responsibly. This includes following the posted speed limit.

Contact a Waukegan Car Accident Lawyer

Motor vehicle technology is changing rapidly. If you or your loved one were hurt in a car crash, you need a Lake County injury attorney on your side who understands how vehicle technology and other factors can influence a personal injury case. You or your loved one may have a right to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other damages through an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. Call 847-662-3303 for a free consultation at Salvi & Maher, L.L.C.

Source:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tanyamohn/2021/03/14/adaptive-cruise-control-encourages-speeding-new-study-finds/

https://www.cdc.gov/publichealthgateway/didyouknow/topic/vehicle.html