Summers & Associates Shares How Technology Keeps Drivers Safer
Lane Departure Warning Systems (LDWS) offer technological innovation combined with driver safety. Auto accidents happen so regularly that discovering ways that to keep drivers out of harm’s way is important. Drivers are aware that many vehicles can carry a risk of ‘blind spots.’ Despite being careful blind spots can cause numerous accidents each year.
Installing optional safety features such as lane departure warning systems and more, newer technology can be helpful in saving lives, time, and resources. These systems help to ensure roadway safety along with giving drivers an added sense of assurance. Summers & Associates is proud to share information on lane departure warning systems and why they are so effective.
Technology Can Make a Positive Difference in Reducing Accidents
Similar to rumble strips on some roadways, an alert warns the driver to take corrective action regarding steering and/or speed. Unlike rumble strips, which are not installed on every road, lane departure warning technology is a safety feature that drivers and their insurance companies can appreciate. Here are a few common types of lane systems:
Lane Departure Warning (LDW): Drivers get audible and/or visual warnings that their vehicle is approaching or crossing lane markings when the turn signal is not activated.
Lane Keeping Assist (LKA): Provides automatic steering and/or braking to keep a vehicle in its travel lane.
Road Departure Assist: Provides automatic steering and/or braking to try to keep the vehicle from departing the roadway.
Lane Centering Assist (LCA): Provides automatic steering and/or braking to continually center the vehicle in its lane.
Lane-keeping and lane departure warning (LDW) systems use forward-facing cameras to monitor the lane lines around your vehicle. These provide visual, audible, and/or tactile warnings—such as through steering wheel or seat vibrations—to alert the driver when the car approaches or crosses lane markings These systems do not activate when you use your turn signal. If your vehicle has lane keeping assist (LKA), automatic steering or braking will try to correct the vehicle if it starts to exit the lane.
Lane Departure Warning Systems and Safety Technology
While vehicles may not all come with these lane systems as a standard feature yet, the number is growing. Some drivers and insurance companies alike feel the advent of this type of safety technology is long overdue. Vehicle operators may consider the use of lane departure warning systems as a cross between older and modern ways of driving. Here are some things to know about this safety technology:
LDW systems use a camera to monitor lane markings and detect when a vehicle is drifting out of its lane of traffic. When it detects that a vehicle is veering out of its lane, an audio, visual, or other alert warns the driver of the unintentional lane shifts so the driver can steer the vehicle back into its lane.
LDW systems provide a valuable safety benefit, and can help keep you and your passengers safe from crashes such as:
Striking a car in an adjoining lane, which could either involve “sideswiping” a vehicle traveling in the same direction or hitting a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction; and
A rollover, which often occurs when a vehicle leaves the road.
LDW systems meet the National Highway Transportation & Safety Administration (NHTSA) performance specifications. LDW systems are an option on many new cars, SUVs, and trucks. To find out if LDW is available in the vehicle you might want to purchase, visit NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings and search for 2011 vehicles and newer.
LDWS Help Reduce Side-Crash Accidents in Ohio and West Virginia
In previous blogs, Summers & Associates presented topics such as hit and run accidents and filing insurance claims. These relate to some of the accident matters in Ohio and West Virginia that come to our practice. While lane departure warning system technology offers marked improvements for safety, it is not yet a standard feature. Until that time when this enhanced technology is standard, all drivers must remain vigilant and proactive about safety. This is especially true with side-oriented crashes.
Earlier, we mentioned problems drivers have with blind spots. Not seeing fully along the sides of vehicles is a large factor in sideswipe and certain rollover accidents when vehicles leave the roadway. Side-crash accidents cause approximately one-fourth or 25 percent of the reported accidents. The use of lane departure warning systems could avoid a significant number of crashes.
We are not talking about saving on minor paint scratches here. Depending on how severe the side impact might be common injuries can include head concussions or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Broken window glass and more can result in cuts and abrasions. Injury may occur in the neck and back, such as whiplash, herniated discs, nerve and spinal cord damage.
One or more of these physical injuries could put you or your passengers out of commission for some time. There are ways to warn drivers and help prevent side crashes caused by a vehicle leaving its lane of traffic. Knowing this makes LDWS a valuable piece of equipment in reducing side-crash accidents.
Summers & Associates in Parkersburg Handles Accident Matters
If you have or need a newer-model vehicle, it may be good to install a lane departure warning system. This added feature is technology that can bring vehicles into the 21st century and beyond with greater safety. Before looking into creating self-driving vehicles, we might achieve greater road safety from lane departure warning systems right now.
To speak with an experienced lawyer after an accident in the Parkersburg area, call Summers & Associates. Residents of West Virginia and Ohio who need sound accident advice can speak with our knowledgeable attorneys. Be sure to read our future blogs covering areas of law where we can assist you and your family. Let the law office of Summers & Associates help keep you on the right track when it comes to handling accident matters and more in Ohio and West Virginia.
Summers & Associates is a law firm serving clients in the region of Parkersburg, West Virginia, including parts of Ohio, for personal injury, criminal, and family law matters. Call our office today at (304) 420-0975, or contact us anytime via live chat on our website about the benefits of land departure warning systems.
