Vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems may reduce car accident rates
Within the next few years, US regulators are expected to propose rules that would require all new cars to feature vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems. Supporters of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) systems say that this technology can do more to prevent injuries associated with car accidents than safety measures like seatbelts and airbags alone. This is because V2V systems are designed to prevent accidents from happening in the first place, or at least reduce their severity, by warning drivers of impending crashes.
How V2V Works
V2V technology allows cars to “talk” to one another and to infrastructure such as traffic signals via WiFi technology, exchanging speed and position data as often as 10 times per second. When data indicating an imminent safety issue is detected, the car will translate this into a warning message for the driver, who can then slam on the brakes or swerve aside to avoid a crash. Some sample safety issues that the technology could detect include:
- An impending collision at a blind intersection
- A vehicle in another’s vehicles blind spot
- A stopped vehicle ahead
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has stated that this technology could prevent or reduce severity in four out of five accidents, as long as drivers are not impaired by drugs or alcohol.
Possible Future Technologies
Right now, the V2V systems being tested do not include any self-driving capabilities, though such capabilities are possible with current technology. Officials are weighing the pros and cons of adding crash-imminent braking to the system. This technology is already available in many luxury vehicles, and basically serves to automatically engage the brakes when sensors detect an imminent crash. You may have seen this capability advertised as a way to prevent drivers from accidentally backing over a pet or child in the driveway, but it could be used at greater speeds as well.
Possible Impact of V2V on Auto Accident Injury Cases
Injuries would still be possible with V2V technology. However, the good news is that in a crash between two vehicles equipped with V2V technology, it could be easier to establish who was at fault for the accident. If the vehicles log their speed and position in the moments leading up to the accident, and this data can be recovered, it could make it easier to prove driver negligence in the absence of other evidence or witnesses.
Regardless of when V2V technology ultimately gets adopted, you can rest assured that an experienced auto accident attorney like Michael A. Kahn will be on top of it and fully up to date with the implications of this technology in a personal injury case.
