A recent study reveals that rear automatic braking systems can prevent accidents when backing up, but only about 5 percent of the vehicles sold in Louisiana and around the country feature the technology. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tested the effectiveness of the rear automatic braking systems fitted to six 2017 model year vehicles using a series of car-to-pole and car-to-car tests, and they found that this technology can reduce rear crashes by as much as 62 percent.
Trade group wants hours of service regulations revised
Truck drivers in Louisiana and around the country would be able to break up their journeys into segments without affecting strict hours of service regulations under a petition to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration made by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. Hours of service rules are designed to prevent accidents caused by drowsy truck drivers, but they could actually be making the nation's roads more dangerous, according to the OOIDA.
Autonomous car technology is already paying safety dividends
Much has been written in recent years about the advent of autonomous vehicle technology and the road safety dividends that self-driving cars could provide. While vehicles lacking a steering wheel and pedals may still be several years away, the technology that has been developed by the scientists and engineers working on autonomous vehicle systems is already preventing accidents and saving lives in Louisiana and around the country.
How to avoid distracted driving
Distracted driving is widespread in Louisiana and around the country. Many experts believe that distractions, especially smartphones, are the cause behind the rise in traffic deaths. In a Consumer Reports survey, 52 percent of drivers with smartphones admitted that they text, send emails, play music, watch videos, and surf the web on them while behind the wheel.
