Are Adaptive Cruise Control Users More Likely To Get Into A New Haven Auto Accident?

A recent study found that users of the technology called adaptive cruise control are more likely to speed then those not using the technology.  The conclusion of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) study was that those drivers using this technology were more likely to get into an auto accident then those who were not using the technology.

The study was performed in Boston where 40 drivers were giving a Land Rover and a Volvo to drive for four weeks.  Both vehicles were equipped withe adaptive cruise control.  Drivers who were told to use the technology were, on average, likely to speed by 7.0 MPH faster then the posted speed limit.  Those drivers that did not use the technology were clocked at a speed that was just 6.1 MPH over the speed limit, a difference of .9 MPH.  The study found that this was not an insignificant difference and that this slight increase in average speed could dramatically impact the chances that drivers using this technology would get into a serious auto accident.  Overall 24% of drivers using the adaptive technology were more likely to have higher speeds then those not using the technology.

Researchers were unclear as to whether or not the decreased safety of those using adaptive cruise control would outweigh the other safety measures that each vehicle had on board and therefore it was not possible for any conclusive evidence to come from the study.

While car safety advocates have said that it would make sense to cap the speed at which the adaptive cruise control would work in an auto, car makers claim that this would negate the need to have the technology in cars because no one would use it if they couldn’t go over the speed limit using the technology.

Either way, it is clear that the faster you are driving the greater risk there is of getting into a New Haven auto accident and being injured or worse, killed.  If you’ve been in an accident you may need an attorney to review your case.  Contact our office and we one of our experienced attorneys will review your case.