Inattentive and distracted driving are serious threats to road safety in Texas, and unfortunately, newer technology may be contributing to the trend. For example, though there are car features that can detect when drivers are distracted and react accordingly, such as by adjusting climate control settings and seat positions, other features are making drivers inattentive through complacency.
Semi-autonomous cars are at the center of the issue as drivers tend to have slower reaction times in these cars, according to the Journal of Safety Research. Drivers feel that the car safety features are advanced enough to foresee any dangers for them and that they can consequently pay less attention to the road. This can even lead to the development of bad driving habits like phone use.
The reality, of course, is that semi-autonomous cars come with driver assistance technology, not technology that outright replaces drivers. Drivers are still expected to stay alert behind the wheel.
This is not the only problem facing semi-autonomous cars. AI programs can lag when faced with so much data input and possible scenarios with every situation on the road, and this lag, though it may last only a second or two, can endanger anyone traveling at high speeds. Cameras and sensors are not perfect either and can fail to detect vehicles in blind spots.
Distracted driving contributes to thousands of car crashes every year, some of them fatal. Those who survive such a crash may be able to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. They may find that the other side is willing to negotiate a settlement out of court, or they may face opposition from the start. This is one reason why victims may want a lawyer representing them and protecting their rights. A successful claim might cover both monetary and non-monetary damages.
