Car Tech: Which Technologies Cause Car Accidents and Which Ones Prevent Them?

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Technology is a double-edged sword when it comes to car accidents--some technology causes accidents, while other technology prevents them. This article discusses why and how technology contributes to car accidents or keeps them from happening.

Technology can be simultaneously our friend and foe; especially when we're behind the wheel. It's estimated that 660,000 people across America, at any given time of day, are using cell phones, radios, GPS, or some other form of technology while driving. So, while it is well established that technology does create distraction, it's also important to note that it can also help us be safer drivers when we're distracted. From special cell phone apps to autonomous vehicles, the potential for technology to keep us safe behind the wheel is endless. Keep reading to learn about the helpful and hurtful nature of technology while driving.

Accident-Causing Technology

Cell phones

Despite being in general use for decades, people are still ignoring the danger of cell phone use while driving. In fact, 25% of teenagers will text every time they drive. Only a decade ago, cell phone usage in the car wasn’t a main contributor to car accidents, and now it happens every day. Some technology now allows drivers to sync their smartphone to their car’s system so that they can talk on the phone hands-free, and even dictate texts to their phone. However, too many people are taking their eyes off the road to text, resulting in heinous and sometimes deadly accidents.

Music

Long gone are the days of merely turning on the radio to listen to music, or popping a CD in. Now with endless music delivery options from satellite radio, cell phones, and MP3 players, the potential for distraction is equally multiplied. While some technology has made it easier to get your favorite songs while you drive, the action of changing songs or using a device while driving is still causing accidents.

GPS

It is ironic, but global positioning systems that are designed to make driving easier are actually a big distraction. While on the road, drivers frequently try to enter their destination or search for near-by businesses without pulling over, and thus take their eyes off the road. Additionally, studies show that hands free devices for cell phones don't reduce the risk of an accidents since our attention is still taken away from traffic; the same principle applies to use of a GPS.

Accident-Preventing Technology

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Smart Phone Apps

While cell phones are frequently responsible for car accidents, applications available on select smart phones can actually help prevent accidents. The majority of these apps disable phones while the owner is driving, but some will actually read text messages or emails out-loud for the driver so that they can keep their eyes on the road. These apps can be extremely beneficial if you have teenage drivers.

Accident Avoidance Technology

Cars can increasingly park themselves, and soon they will even be able to talk to one another. This technology helps take out "human error" which is, no doubt, the cause of a vast majority of crashes. Many newer cars include features like lane correction technology that keeps the driver from distractedly drifting out of their lane. Other systems can survey the road ahead to notify the driver of any obstacles or dangers.

Autonomous Vehicles

While this sounds like something out of the sci-fi movie, self-automated cars are already on the road. While self-driving cars might not be on the road for a while, there are companies creating cars with automated features that take a lot of responsibility off of the driver. Many companies are following these pioneers' footsteps (or treads in this case), and are developing autonomous vehicles for themselves.

There's no denying it, our safety behind the wheel is crushed and bolstered by technology. It's been proven that we just can't resist the temptation of technology and thus regularly enter distraction; hopefully future advances will override the dangerous situations we can't help but put ourselves in.

By Dixie Somers

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