Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog
Self-driving cars have been around for a few years now and have gained a lot of attention. Some experts feel these autonomous vehicles could help prevent car crashes in Hollywood and other cities and could even help prevent congestion in South Florida and other high-traffic areas.
Safety is one of the biggest draws of self-driving cars. These vehicles use sensors and algorithms to detect dangerous situations and other cars nearby, reacting quickly to prevent crashes. By eliminating human error—one of the most common causes of car crashes in Hollywood and other cities—experts say autonomous vehicles could see fewer car crashes.
Already, autonomous cars have driven hundreds of thousands of miles with far fewer accidents than most traditional vehicles. However, there have been some fender benders. Most recently, the first fatal accident involving a self-driving car occurred. In Florida, a man was killed when in a Tesla Model S. The car and the driver did not brake when a tractor trailer pulled in front of them. The crash is currently under investigation and a lawsuit has been launched.
This and more minor crashes have self-driving car manufacturers and legislators seeking solutions to make roads safer. China has temporarily banned autonomous cars on its highways until new laws regulating these vehicles can be passed.
Perhaps one of the most unusual safety considerations recently comes from a patent Google filed and was approved in May. The patent is for an adhesive coating for self-driving cars. The coating—essentially a flypaper for humans—would allow pedestrians struck by self-driving cars to stick to the vehicle rather than roll over or under the vehicle, where further injuries could occur. Uniquely, the adhesive would have a coating over top of it so the adhesive would only become exposed on contact, ensuring debris would not attach to the car. So far, there are no reports of the technology being unveiled.
Volvo, too, is considering safety measures for its cars to prevent pedestrian injury. The car manufacturer is reportedly considering the idea of external airbags, which would inflate along the edge of the windshield to prevent pedestrians from crashing into the glass and sustaining injury.
The CEO of a German auto parts company has another solution for self-driving car safety: multiple detection systems. According to Stefan Sommer of ZF Friedrichshafen, autonomous cars would be safer if they used cameras, infrared “lidar” technology, and short-range and long-range radars. That way, if any system fails to detect an obstacle, the other two can act as a fail-safe.
What do you think? What technologies could help prevent car collisions involving autonomous vehicles?
If you have been in a car collision with any driver, get legal advice before making any final decisions about insurance or next steps. You can get a legal evaluation of your situation in a free, no obligation consultation with Flaxman Law Group. Simply contact our offices in Homestead, Hollywood, or Miami ro arrange your free accident consultation.