Fatality-proof driving technology promised by Volvo

On behalf of Aiken and Aiken P.C. Personal Injury Attorneys posted in Car Accidents, on Thursday, January 28, 2016

An accident on a Massachusetts road can range in severity from minor to fatal, but Volvo hopes to make deadly accidents a concern of the past by 2020. While it is clear that a driver bent on reckless driving may not be able to avoid deadly incidents, Volvo’s developing technologies have the potential to minimize damages for those motorists who are attempting to observe safe driving practices. In fact, a number of smart features have been used in the brand’s vehicles already, and the combination of these may provide significant safety advantages even now. Volvo offers an adaptive cruise control feature that allows a driver to select a maximum speed. Radar is used to adjust speeds so that a safe driving distance is maintained behind another vehicle. The technology initiates braking activity when appropriate as well. Additional features could be incorporated with this system to avoid an auto accident through collision prevention activity that would include a warning system and automatic braking in the absence of preventive action by the driver. Lane assistance is being explored and developed as well, and it will involve camera monitoring of lanes and alert features to assist drifting drivers in safely returning to their own lanes. Cameras can also be incorporated into monitoring systems to identify pedestrians, road hazards, speed limit signs and other important features on the roads. Volvo is also working on developing autonomous vehicles, noting that these options are expected to be some of the safest driving solutions. Although smart technologies in vehicles are exciting, the dependency of those traveling in a car that is powered by driverless or computer-driven systems may cause concern. If a vehicle’s computer system could be hacked or fail in one or more safety activities, the risk of an accident might increase. In such a case, a manufacturer could be legally responsible for any injuries caused to those in the vehicle and to others who are harmed.