Tennessee Injury Law Center
Three of the biggest causes of car accidents are speeding, distracted driving and drunk driving. As usual, there is good news and bad news. The good news is that German automakers have developed extremely useful technology to combat drunk driving that may soon be in vehicles. The bad news is some drivers are not satisfied with one type of risky driving behavior and instead are doubling up. And hands-free driving technology may not be improving safety.
First, let’s talk about the good news. Certain German vehicles could soon have touchscreens for their vehicles that can test blood alcohol level for drivers. It sounds like something out of Star Trek, the Jetsons or Star Wars (do those pop culture references age us?) The technology was developed by two other German companies, but it may soon be incorporated into Volkswagen AG, Stellantis NV and Mercedes Benz Group AG models. A user would touch the sensor, which would then send infrared light pulses through the skin to measure ethanol molecules in the tissue. The data would be recorded and assessed for the alcohol content in the blood. To date, the technology appears validated but will undergo more rigorous trials in November.
Now, let’s talk about the bad news. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, drivers who are speeding are also more likely to be on their phones. Of course, speeding increases stopping distance and distracted driving decreases reaction time – a dangerous double whammy. Even more alarming is that the corollary between speeding and distracted driving was the highest on interstates and roads with higher speed limits. Generally, on these types of roads, there are fewer traffic lights, less bicyclists and pedestrians and so experts believe that drivers perceive less risk to speeding while also texting or engaging in other forms of distracted driving.
Surveys reveal that drivers understand these behaviors are dangerous but admit to doing them anyway. Not surprisingly, 9 out of 10 drivers believe unsafe driving has increased in the past year with the highest complaints directed at speeding, cellphone use and road rage. Unfortunately, a recent report from the National Transportation Safety Board found that hands-free driving systems may not be the answer. Drivers tend to become too reliant on the technology and become distracted by cellphones and entertainment screens.
Every single day, our award-winning lawyers see the effects of car crashes: injuries or death, lost time from work, scarring, emotional trauma, permanent impairments, the anxiety and worry of dealing with the medical bills, property damage and more. It is our privilege to help people through the stressful aftermath of a car accident and help them understand their legal rights and options and recover the financial compensation they deserve. We handle all car accident cases on a contingency basis, so we only get paid if we recover money for you. And unlike some injury lawyers, we advance all case expenses interest-free so that you do not have to pay a penny out-of-pocket to pursue your legal rights. To get started, just give us a call. We will answer your questions in a free, no-obligation consultation so that you can decide if we are the right attorneys for you.
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