With more drivers in Georgia and across the U.S. using dashboard touchscreens and smartphones, it’s not surprising that distracted driving is on the rise. The National Safety Council has said that distracted driving contributes to around nine crash-related deaths and 100 crash-related injuries every day in this country. The problem is not lack of awareness, though.
Car makers and researchers are putting their hope in safety features as the way to prevent distracted driving. In particular, they are looking into the mechanics of deep learning and striving for a combination of artificial intelligence with current alert systems. With AI, cameras and sensors may monitor drivers and either set off alerts or take control of the vehicle if they detect distracted behavior.
Automakers are also seeking to make alerts more noticeable since drivers can become conditioned to alerts and wind up ignoring them. Some possibilities include lowering the volume of the radio and changing the color of the dashboard background at the same time that the alert goes off.
If AI is successfully combined with such safety features, it could become a standard component on all vehicles. This has already happened with automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning systems: Both will be standard on all new vehicles manufactured in the U.S. by 2020.
Regardless of what safety features they have, drivers are expected to maintain control of their vehicle at all times. If they become negligent in this area and cause motor vehicle accidents, they will be at fault. In this state, crash victims who are less than 50% at fault can file a claim in the effort to be reimbursed for injuries. Damages might cover everything from medical expenses to lost wages. Before filing, though, victims may want a lawyer to evaluate the case.
