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Technology's Impact on Motorist Safety
Computer driven cars may make us safer, but who is to blame when something goes wrong?
December 10, 2010 /Transportation and Trucking PR News/ -- As technology advances, yesterday's science fiction is quickly becoming today's reality. From electronic stability control (ESC) to automated parking to Google cars that drive themselves, computer-controlled vehicles are already on our streets. What impact will these emerging technologies have on safety and how will they affect liability in vehicle accidents?
Driver-assisted technology has recently made several advances. For example, ESC strategically applies one or more brakes to restore traction and vehicle balance during extreme maneuvering. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has mandated that ESC technology be standard by 2012.
BMW's automated parking system alerts the driver to possible parking spots. Once the driver chooses a spot, he or she can put the car in reverse and let go of the wheel. The driver controls braking, but the car maneuvers itself into the parking spot.
Most recent in motor vehicle technology development, Google's specially-equipped Toyota Priuses have been roaming California's public roads. The cars are fully computer controlled and need no human driver, but have one to take control if necessary.
What These Technologies Mean for Motorist Safety
ESC has been standard on many vehicles for years. It has been shown to reduce accidents, fatal crashes , and rollovers. In fact, NHTSA estimates making ESC standard on all cars would cost only about $111 per vehicle and prevent over 10,000 accident-related deaths each year.
Google also believes its technology could cut car accident fatalities in half. The only accident in Google's testing was a human driven car that rear ended the Google car at a red light.
Although machines don't have human fallibilities such as drinking, sleeping or getting distracted while driving, they aren't perfect. Despite a strong reliability rate, accidents will happen.
The Impact on Motor Vehicle Accident Liability
When a so-called "smart car" is involved in a motor vehicle accident , who is at fault: the human "driver," the automaker or the software developer? All three? When a car drives itself, but a human is present to override the system, who is the driver if the computer errs? Would the human be ultimately responsible and then be able to sue the software manufacturer?
Advances in computer driven vehicles are likely to increase driver safety. However, the technology is well ahead of the law. Clear lines must be drawn and changes to basic legal principles may be necessary to fit this brave new world.
Article provided by Shapiro, Galvin, Shapiro & Moran PC
Visit us at www.tadshapiroinjurylawyer.com
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