Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are specifically designed to keep roads safe. The new technology is supposed to lead to autonomous vehicles that drivers can rely on to get them to and from destinations safely in the coming years. But, what effect will they have?
In South Georgia, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and private-sector companies, like 3M and Panasonic, are partnering to pilot an 18-mile stretch of Interstate 85 known as The Ray. The section of road is a testing site for next-generation highway technologies.
One of the elements they are testing is the striping on the roads to make it more visible to human drivers and cars equipped with ADAS. The concentration of the striping is being led by data that shows nighttime and bad weather crashes lead to more injuries and are most often caused by visibility issues with interstate striping. Using a new 3M product with “refractive bead technology,” the GDOT is hoping to improve safety now and in the future as ADAS cars come to the market.
A 2020 study published by AAA found that partially automated driving systems, which are available now, are only as safe as the driver’s understanding on how they work. In the study, participants were divided into two groups. One group received information on the driving system that emphasized the system’s capabilities and driver convenience. The other participants received training materials for that focused on the system’s limitations and driver responsibility.
The result? The study participants who understood they still held responsibility for safety were less likely to engage in risky driving behaviors. So, ultimately, proper driver education for driving with partial or advanced driver assistance systems is key to safety on the roads.
Risky driving behaviors and bad weather conditions can lead to a car accident in any type of vehicle. If you have been injured in a car accident and are unsure of what to do next, reach out to the expert team at the The Edmonson Law Firm. We are here to help you during this stressful time.