Warning: Self Driving Cars Can Cause Wrecks
If it happens, the car’s driver is “almost always” at fault. These accidents occur if drivers aren’t paying attention when a car’s safety system computer hands back control tries to hand back because of a malfunction. Drivers of self driving cars must remain alert, keep their hands on the steering wheel and be ready to take over if necessary.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety IIHS in 2018, some of the “biggest problems” on semi-autonomous cars it tested, “involved the lane keeping assist (LKA). It worked well on straight roads, but not if they had “lots of curves and hills. The IIHS test also found the automatic emergency braking system (AEB) didn’t “always work” the way it should.
Consumer Reports found “41 percent” of vehicles with the lane departure warning system (LDW) got “at least one false alert” and the lane keeping assist (LKA) can aim cars back at “the curb” when they swing out to avoid cyclists or pedestrians. A car’s computers can develop glitches. For one thing, they’re exposed to “extremes of heat and cold and vibration and moisture.” In 2018, the Insurance Journal reported five systems in new Tesla, Mercedes, BMW and Volvo models “can fail under many circumstances.”
Make sure you know how to drive your car
You don’t just open the door, get in, turn the key and expect your new car to operate like your old one. Buyers of today’s new cars need training to understand the car’s safety systems. But that training is “not currently offered” by many dealerships. If you can’t make sense of your car’s manual, this website, – Mycardoeswhat.org, – can help.
Brand new cars can be equipped with an FCW, AEB, LDW, LKA, BSM, RCTA and ACC, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. An FCW is a forward warning system. An AEB is an automatic emergency braking system. An LDW is a lane departure warning system. An LKA is a lane keeping assist. A BSM is blind spot monitoring system. An RCTA is a rear cross-traffic alert and ACC is an adaptive cruise control.
Repair bills are bigger, insurance rates are rising
According to the Chicago Tribune, a car’s high tech safety features cost a lot. If they’re damaged, “they’re much more expensive to repair.” The time and money it takes for repairs are driving up insurance rates. But semi-autonomous cars have decided benefits. They add a crucial set of eyes and ears to assist drivers. But they’re not designed to replace them.
Wayne Wright knows human error hurts driver safety systems
If a negligent semi-autonomous car driver hits you, call Wayne Wright. He is one of America’s top trial lawyers. He knows where the blame lies and how to deal with insurance companies that may question liability in these cases. His many national legal awards prove he wins top dollar amounts for those he represents. Wayne Wright does not charge by the hour. Clients only pay fees, agreed upon in advance, when he wins their case. Calls and evaluations are free.