Vehicle safety features may be worth it, though concerns remain
You may be wondering if the safety features on your vehicle are worth engaging, and the answer is yes. Ohio drivers should be aware that there are some concerns about cost and that most insurance companies are not ready to give incentives to vehicles that have them. All the same, the global market for advanced driver-assistance systems, as they are called, is growing and is expected to go from $27 billion in 2020 to $83 billion by 2030.
Reducing the rate of injury claims
Research from LexisNexis Risk Solutions shows that vehicles with ADAS see 27% fewer bodily injury claims and 19% fewer claims regarding property damage. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that vehicles with blind-spot monitoring can reduce the risk for a crash by 14% when compared to the same vehicles without the feature.
One researcher from Carnegie Mellon University says that all crash avoidance technologies together can lower the frequency of crashes by 3.5%. He adds that light-duty fleets can save $264 billion every year in crash-related expenses if they all incorporated these technologies.
What ADAS offers to drivers
ADAS is composed of several features like forward and rear collision warning and automatic emergency. The first can warn drivers about an impending crash while the second applies the brakes when drivers don’t react fast enough. ADAS can also come with:
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane departure warning
• Pedestrian detection
• Traffic-sign recognition
The problem is that ADAS can be costly to install. The average repair bill for an ADAS vehicle can be twice that for an ordinary vehicle. This is one reason why insurance companies are unlikely to start providing discounts to ADAS vehicle owners.
An attorney to give you personal attention
Another issue is that ADAS can make drivers complacent and more prone to distraction behind the wheel. If you were hurt by a distracted driver, you may pursue a personal injury case and seek compensation for your losses, including your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. A lawyer may help you prove the defendant’s negligence and negotiate for a settlement.