Car-to-Car Communication Could Prevent Crashes
Regulators in the auto industry may soon require automakers to install crash-avoidance communication systems in all new vehicles, according to statements made by the Transportation Department.
Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said the Obama administration is intent on moving forward with vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems that prevent accidents by providing location and speed data. Foxx hopes the communication systems will be mandatory within a few years.
“Our goal is to have a proposal that will be developed before the administration closes its doors,” Foxx said in news conference. He added that traffic data suggests that cross-car communication could prevent 70-80 percent of accident situations involving sober drivers.
Complex Systems
The raw data suggests that automobile communication systems could eliminate a large portion of crashes caused by driver error, but the technology still has a few hurdles to overcome. Researchers say some points of contention include:
- Creating a large enough network for the system to function appropriately
- Consumer privacy and security
- Affordability
- Consumer acceptance
- Legal and regulatory framework
Of the above issues, automakers are primarily concerned about consumer backlash over privacy issues. Mr. Foxx said consumer security is one of their main areas of focus, and he added that vehicles wouldn’t share identifying information.
Automakers are also hesitant to aggressively pursue vehicle-to-vehicle communications before liability issues are fully addressed.
How It Would Work
According to the Transportation Department, early studies have examined the proficiency of short-distance radio networks in reducing vehicle crashes and collisions.
Their current tests feature a radio network that sends signals up to 300 yards that project a vehicle’s position, speed and direction. By analyzing the variables of all the other cars on the road, the communication system could provide early warning signals before they become apparent to the driver.
While the technology may not be mandatory for years, it’s clear that new automobile safety measures are needed. There were 33,561 traffic deaths in 2012, up nearly 1,000 from the previous year. 2012 marked the first time in seven years that the number of traffic fatalities rose. It is believed that number declined in 2013, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is still working on the official tally.
Related source: The Wall Street Journal
-
The Most Reliable and Longest Lasting Cars
Nov 19, 2014Bringing your car in for regular scheduled maintenance is one way to extend the life of your vehicle, but some cars are simply built to be longer lasting than others. To determine which cars were actually the most durable, a pair of researchers studied car ownership patterns and asked mechanics and other auto-professionals to evaluate cars […]
-
Teens Less Likely to Drive Safe Cars
Aug 6, 2014A new report by researchers at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that teens are more likely to drive older, smaller cars than adults, which puts them at greater risk for accident and injury. According to the survey, teenagers are at a greater risk of injury during an accident than an adult counterpart who […]
-
Should I Warm Up My Car When It’s Cold Out?
Dec 4, 2013The temperatures are slated to drop significantly over the next few days, but that doesn’t mean everyone can just curl up with a blanket until spring returns. People still have to get to work or the grocery store, and many times they’ll start their car and let it run for a few minutes before driving […]
