Technology is Changing Our Roadways. Is it for the Better?

 Posted on March 27, 2018 in Driving Safety

In a society driven by constant technological advancements, our nation’s roadways continue to change. Today, GPS systems do our navigating, and fleets of self-driving cars are heading into the marketplace in hopes of doing our driving too. Many technological developments have altered our society for the better; still, that has not always been the case with regard to travel. Smartphone technology continues to distract drivers, and now it seems even self-driving cars are running into problems.

On Sunday, March 18, a self-driving Uber vehicle struck a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona. The driver of the car placed the vehicle in self-drive mode and averted his eyes from the road. By the time the driver directed his eyes back to the road, it was too late. The self-driving car failed to notice a pedestrian crossing the road. The pedestrian was fatally injured.

The tragedy calls into question the general effectiveness of the newly implemented technology. Yet more than that, it serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of traveling, both as a driver and pedestrian. If you or a member of your family are injured in an automobile collision, contact our experienced team of Waukegan personal injury attorneys immediately to discuss your case and your options.

New Dangers for Pedestrians?

While Uber’s autonomous vehicle accident represented the first of its kind, pedestrian fatalities are all too common. In 2016, more than 6,000 pedestrians suffered fatal injuries after being struck by vehicles. According to the Governors Highway Safety Administration (GHSA), over 75 percent of all pedestrian fatalities occur after dark. Unsurprisingly the accident in Tempe occurred around 10 p.m.

If you choose to travel on foot after dark, it is important that you wear bright colors, cross the street only at marked crosswalks, and remain aware of your surroundings at all times. 

Driving With Technology

It is no mystery that the development of smarter technology has drastically altered the way in which we navigate our roadways. Safety measures such as blind spot alerts and automated braking systems have helped to offset the impact of a distracted driving force. Still, 3,477 people suffered fatal injuries in automobile crashes involving distracted drivers throughout 2015. Autonomous vehicles were developed as a means of limiting the damage that distracted driving can do, but the pedestrian fatality in Tempe calls the new technology into question.

Contact a Compassionate Car Accident Lawyer Today

Throughout 2016, America witnessed an 11 percent increase in annual pedestrian fatalities. The rise in fatal injuries to pedestrians is undoubtedly linked to an increase in smart technology and distracted driving. At Salvi & Maher L.L.C., our team has decades of experience helping families recover from personal injuries and wrongful deaths. If your family faces the tragedy of a serious or fatal injury, contact a Waukegan personal injury attorney today.

Sources:

https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/19/technology/uber-driverless-fatality.html

https://www.npr.org/2017/03/30/522085503/2016-saw-a-record-increase-in-pedestrian-deaths