If you purchased a new car within the past few years, it is likely it came with the latest technological features. Those features are supposed to make driving safer, but recent research shows they are a distraction to many drivers. A new car’s dashboard has become a source of danger as drivers pay more attention to the technology than they do to the road. In many instances, distracted driving is just as dangerous as driving under the influence when it comes to accidents.
Dangerous Features
The dashboard distraction taking the driver’s eyes off the road occurs when entering a destination into the vehicle’s navigation system. This is best done when the car is parked, but many drivers decide to do it while the vehicle is in motion. Texting is next on the list for distractions, along with using the radio. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released voluntary guidelines to car manufacturers back in 2012, advising them to restrict access to various tasks if the vehicle was in motion, but even those guidelines have fallen prey to the upsurge in technology. For example, if a vehicle does not allow the driver to use the navigation system unless it is parked, the driver may simply choose to continue driving and use their smartphone’s GPS instead, increasing the risk of distraction.
Distracted Driving Levels
A recent survey by Esurance reveals disturbing behavior of many drivers with high-tech motor vehicles. According to the survey, even though these drivers recognize that using technology while driving is distracting, more than half of them continue to do so. Less than half of the surveyed drivers think that technology helps their driving, and approximately 25 percent of drivers have picked up their phone due to boredom while driving. Ten percent of drivers surveyed say they have nearly gotten into an accident due to their own distracted driving.
Luxury Cars are More Dangerous
Those paying for a luxury car expect state-of-the-art amenities, so it is not surprising that luxury vehicles have the highest scores when it comes to distractions. Not only do such systems offer more opportunities for dashboard distractions than lower-priced models, but the extra features are often more complicated, meaning more time that a driver’s eyes are off the road. A lower-priced car without technological advances is generally a safer vehicle from a distraction standpoint, since its technology interfaces use knobs and buttons.
Allegheny County Car Accident Lawyers at AlpernSchubert P.C. Help Car Accident Victims
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a distracted driving accident, you need the services of the experienced Allegheny County car accident lawyers at AlpernSchubert P.C. We will fight for your rights and work hard to obtain the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, contact us online or call us at 412-765-1888 today. Located in Pittsburgh, we serve clients from the surrounding areas, including Allegheny County, Lawrence County, Washington County, and throughout western Pennsylvania.