With new technology developing every day, vehicle safety and safety-helping features have improved vastly over the years. From blind spot detectors to automatic braking systems, cars should be safer than ever. But are these safety features effective? Are they actually reducing accidents on the roads?
Safety Feature Studies
Most studies suggest that various safety systems are helping to reduce accidents. A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety showed that cars with blind-spot detection systems had 14 percent lower crash involvement rates. The same study suggested that approximately 16,000 crash injuries were due to blind-spot-related accidents, which could have been prevented with this technology.
Carnegie Mellon University researcher, Corey Harper, suggested that safety advancements in car technology can reduce crash frequency by almost four percent, saving almost $264 billion.
Should You Upgrade Your Car?
According to most data, these features can reduce car accidents. Advanced driver assistance systems such as lane departure warnings, blind-spot monitoring, collision warnings and automatic braking can reduce both injuries and repair-related expenses. But these features raise the cost of the car initially, and the cost of repairs. They can also introduce more complications when it comes to maintenance. However, since these cars can reduce the frequency and severity of accidents, it may offset the initial cost.
Though there is no guarantee that technology will help a driver completely avoid an accident, these features can both help protect families and save money. Cars with safety technology may help prevent serious accidents.