Improper safety technology use may cause greater danger

Posted on May 1, 2012

Modern vehicles are equipped with many high tech safety features, but many times drivers do not understand how they work. This lack of understanding can ironically lead to dangerous situations on the roadways.

The most ubiquitous electronic safety feature on automobiles is antilock braking, also known as ABS (antilock brake system). ABS utilizes sensors in each of the vehicle’s tires to monitor the rotation speed of the vehicle’s wheels in relation to one another. When one wheel is moving slower than the others or has ceased moving all together, the vehicle’s computer adjusts brake pressure to avoid the possibility of skidding. Though the technology is effective at reducing skidding, a vehicle with ABS equipped requires a longer distance to stop on icy or wet road surfaces. Traction control is a similar feature that employs wheel sensors to prevent tires from spinning out on slick surfaces. This technology can prevent a car from becoming unstuck from mud or snow, so many vehicles with Traction Control come equipped with a shut off switch for the safety feature. Stability Control, soon to be required in all vehicles, uses the same wheel sensor technology to monitor for excessive yaw, and take corrective action if the vehicle itself begins to spin. All of these safety features are meant to help the driver control the vehicle. They are not intended to take responsibility for safe driving away from the motorist.

As a Bakersfield car accident lawyer, I hope that safety technology will continue to reduce the danger of highway travel. If you or someone you love has been injured in a traffic collision, please consider contacting a car accident attorney Fresno.

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