How Can Advances in Wireless Communication Prevent Car Accidents?
November 1, 2011 By Allen, Flatt, Ballidis & Leslie, Inc.
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Every day in the United States, the actions and inactions of drivers—whether speeding, making dangerous lane changes, or failing to decelerate for red lights or slowing traffic—result in collisions. In 2009, crashes were among the leading causes of death for Americans between the ages of 5- and 34 years old, according to the CDC. Over the years, advances in wireless communication and other technologies have inspired innovations in transportation aimed at preventing car accidents.
One morning last April, a 23-year-old woman was killed in a crash on the 405 Freeway in Westminster. The accident was triggered when the driver of a Toyota failed to slow down for traffic congestion, rear-ending the woman at a high rate of speed. The impact forced her Hyundai into the Porsche in front of her. Paramedics transported the women to a nearby hospital, where she died that evening.
A primary objective of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Intelligent Transportation Systems Program is to improve safety through connectivity. At present, the agency is researching how to utilize wireless communication technologies to enable vehicles to communicate with each other and with transportation infrastructure to warn drivers of potential hazards on the road.
In addition to devoting resources to research and development, the federal government has also provided eligible states with grant money to improve highway safety with such technologies. In Washington State, each lane of the I-5 in Seattle has an overhead digital sign indicating to drivers a speed limit specific to that lane, the level of congestion, and the speed at which vehicles are actually traveling. The system not only facilitates a smoother flow of traffic but also serves to warn drivers when they should slow down for vehicles stopped ahead.
If a driver is distracted, however, he or she may be as likely not to notice the sign as the stopped traffic, which is why the Department of Transportation is also exploring technologies that enable vehicles to send and receive messages, as well as warn drivers of danger and take control of steering and braking if necessary. DOT projects that vehicle-to-vehicle communications could prevent 76 percent of motor vehicle accidents, explains a lawyer.
Hopefully, in the years to come new vehicles will be uniformly equipped with these innovations, thereby preventing fatal car accidents like the one that occurred in Orange County last spring.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jim Ballidis
Practicing as a lawyer in Orange County for more than 25 years, James Ballidis has written extensively on car accidents and the injury claims process.
Copyright Allen, Flatt, Ballidis & Leslie, Inc.
More information about Allen, Flatt, Ballidis & Leslie, Inc.
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
A primary objective of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Intelligent Transportation Systems Program is to improve safety through connectivity. At present, the agency is researching how to utilize wireless communication technologies to enable vehicles to communicate with each other and with transportation infrastructure to warn drivers of potential hazards on the road.
In addition to devoting resources to research and development, the federal government has also provided eligible states with grant money to improve highway safety with such technologies. In Washington State, each lane of the I-5 in Seattle has an overhead digital sign indicating to drivers a speed limit specific to that lane, the level of congestion, and the speed at which vehicles are actually traveling. The system not only facilitates a smoother flow of traffic but also serves to warn drivers when they should slow down for vehicles stopped ahead.
If a driver is distracted, however, he or she may be as likely not to notice the sign as the stopped traffic, which is why the Department of Transportation is also exploring technologies that enable vehicles to send and receive messages, as well as warn drivers of danger and take control of steering and braking if necessary. DOT projects that vehicle-to-vehicle communications could prevent 76 percent of motor vehicle accidents, explains a lawyer.
Hopefully, in the years to come new vehicles will be uniformly equipped with these innovations, thereby preventing fatal car accidents like the one that occurred in Orange County last spring.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jim Ballidis
Practicing as a lawyer in Orange County for more than 25 years, James Ballidis has written extensively on car accidents and the injury claims process.
Copyright Allen, Flatt, Ballidis & Leslie, Inc.
More information about Allen, Flatt, Ballidis & Leslie, Inc.
View all articles published by Allen, Flatt, Ballidis & Leslie, Inc.
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
