The increase of traffic fatalities in the US from 41,945 in the year 2000 to 42,795 in 2022 has led to a rise in the demand for technologies which improve road safety. Over the past few years, various life-saving innovations have been developed, in an attempt to lower the amount of road injuries and related deaths. Key technologies changing the game when it comes to road safety include increased vehicle connectivity, AI and self-driving cars, improved surveillance, and automation.
Vehicle Connectivity
Vehicle connectivity has become a vital lifeline for frequent drivers and those taking the wheel in challenging climatic conditions. 5G tech enables current drivers to remain constantly connected to accurate reports covering traffic congestion, accidents, road hazards, and weather conditions. Dedicated warnings allow drivers to take different routes with lower risks of accidents. They also disperse traffic, leading to reduced overall congestion and a lower risk of collisions. It additionally ensures that they maintain their vehicles in top shape via remote vehicle diagnostics and software upgrades.
Surveillance and Evidence
Surveillance is a vital way to discover how accidents are produced, so that everything from blame to possible inadequacy of road design can be identified. When drivers are involved in a truck accident, legal advice is usually sought. Legal teams often request copies of CCTV recordings if they wish to establish that an accident was caused by negligence or ill intent on the part of another driver. Areas with a higher number of CCTV cameras provide more visual evidence, which can influence the final verdict. In states that aren’t over-populated, like Arizona, even small towns like Surprise have big city amenities—and outstanding security. Any Surprise accident lawyer will know that there are a host of CCTV cameras in this lively city, all of which can be spotted online on the WeatherBug site. Drivers can further protect themselves by purchasing dashcams, which can be used to demonstrate fault if footage is taken in public, unrestricted areas. The number of surveillance cameras in the US grew by 80% (from 47 million in 2015 to 85 million) in 2021, demonstrating a clear demand for evidence-collating technology.
AI and Self Driving Cars
Autonomous vehicles are able to reach required destinations while avoiding road hazards and responding to other vehicles. Self-driving vehicles have been in development for over 40 years and experts predict that by 2035, fully autonomous vehicles will be on the road. The Chinese government recently announced that it would lift the barriers to entry of passenger cars with semi-autonomous functions and more countries are expected to follow suit as autonomous systems become more advanced. Artificial intelligence has already been fitted to some extent in the majority of modern vehicles in order to automate mundane tasks and prevent collisions. Companies like AutoX (in San Jose, California) are combining AI software, sensors, real-time cameras and thousands of test miles to help drivers make safe decisions. AutoX has already deployed robotaxi services in China and received permission to launch a similar program in California.
Vehicle Manufacturers Setting New Standards
Some of the world’s leading manufacturing companies are raising the bar for vehicle safety tech. BMW models from 2022 onwards can be fitted with a safety package which includes frontal collision warnings, lane departure warnings, traffic jam assistants and intelligent emergency calls. Porsche also stands out as one of the most cautious manufacturers, with current models including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, brake assist, and rear cross-traffic alerts. Lane assist relies on cameras to detect road markings and provide the driver with feedback. This feedback may comprise physical movement of the steering wheel, or a simple sound cue. Traffic jam assistants work similarly to cruise control. They rely on sensors and cameras to detect surrounding vehicles and control the car’s speed, maintaining it lower than 40 miles per hour. Meanwhile, blind spot monitoring alerts the driver to the presence of other cars or pedestrians located outside their field of view, or concealed by an obstacle.
How are Modern Roads Built to be Safer?
The Federal Highway Administration’s Proven Safety Countermeasures initiative consists of a multitude of strategies designed to reduce vehicle related injuries and fatalities. It includes the use of rumble strips, which alert drivers through vibrations and noise when their vehicle leaves its lane. It also comprises separate bicycle lanes, which keep cyclist safes and reduces congestion. Additionally, crosswalk visibility enhancements such as signage, lighting, and pavement markings alert tired or distracted drivers to the presence of pedestrians. Variable speed limits can also help drivers adapt correctly to congestion, crashes, and poor weather. Finally, speed safety cameras can be deployed as fixed units, point to point units, or mobile units, to levy fines on drivers who surpass stated limits. In typical years, speeding contributes to approximately 29% of all traffic fatalities.
In a race against rising traffic fatalities, technology is taking the wheel for safer roads. From enhanced vehicle connectivity and AI-driven self-driving cars to improved surveillance and automation, life-saving innovations are transforming American highways. Top tech includes 5G technology, surveillance cameras, collision warnings, and intelligent assistants. Federal initiatives are also aiming to reduce accidents and fatalities through rumble strips, more lanes for cyclists, and a larger number of speedy detection cameras.
