Another calendar year and even more technology is making its way into our cars and onto our roadways. Some technologies are proving to make driving safer and give promise to help drivers avoid Connecticut auto accidents. However, a recent study by AAA found that certain technologies may be having an unintended consequence that could prove deadly.
The study, conducted by AAA Northeast, found that drivers who were familiar with technologies such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist may become too reliant on the automobile for help driving which could lead to fatal results.
Researchers with the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety took up the study with researchers at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute to look at distracted driving among those car owners whose cars were equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS.) The results of the study were astonishing and concerning.
Researchers found that those who had cars equipped with various ADAS technologies were twice as likely to take their eyes off the road and were less likely to be engaged in the task of driving while on the road. Those without the technology in their vehicle demonstrated normal patterns of distracted driving behaviors.
The study also found that as drivers spent more time with the technology and grew to trust it they were more likely to leave the heavy lifting of focusing on the road to the technology then they were to pay attention to the task at hand. Familiarity with the technology seemed to be a defining characteristic of those that were willing to trust the technology to assist in the driving of the car.
If you’ve been involved in a Connecticut auto accident that may have involved a vehicle relying on ADAS technology, contact our office immediately. We will help protect your long term rights.
