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Driver assistance technologies hold the potential to reduce traffic crashes and save thousands of lives each year. In 2021, 42,939 people died in motor vehicle crashes — many of these crashes were tied to human error. Learn more about driver assistance technologies, how they can help you, and what you should know about these technologies when buying your next vehicle.

Technology Saves Lives

Tech overview, tech in your car, collision warning, collision intervention, driving control assistance, other systems.

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Plus, Automatic Emergency Braking & Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking

Driver assistance technologies in your car not only help to keep you and your passengers safe, but also other drivers and pedestrians. When shopping for a new or used vehicle, you may notice that different manufacturers use different names for the technologies. NHTSA is helping consumers break through the confusion with explanations about how these technologies work. It’s important to understand that some driver assistance technologies are designed to warn you if you’re at risk of an impending crash, while others are designed to take action to avoid a crash. Be sure to review your vehicle’s owner’s manual for more information on your vehicle’s technology and safety features. Understanding how the technology works and how it can better protect you, your passengers and others is key.

Forward Collision Warning

Detects a potential collision with a vehicle ahead and provides a warning to the driver.

This is a NHTSA recommended safety technology.

Lane Departure Warning

Monitors the vehicle’s position within the driving lane and alerts the driver as the vehicle approaches or crosses lane markers.

Rear Cross Traffic Warning

Warns the driver of a potential collision, while in reverse, that may be outside the view of the backup camera.

Blind Spot Warning

Warns of a vehicle in the driver’s blind spot.

Automatic Emergency Braking

Applies brakes automatically when a forward collision is imminent. There are two types of automatic emergency braking systems that meet NHTSA’s performance specifications: dynamic brake support and crash imminent braking.

These are NHTSA recommended safety technologies.

Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking

Detects a pedestrian in front of the vehicle and automatically applies brakes if a collision is imminent.

Rear Automatic Braking

Detects a potential collision while in reverse and automatically applies brakes if a crash is imminent.

Blind Spot Intervention

Applies brakes or provides steering if the driver begins to change to a lane where a vehicle is detected in the blind spot.

Adaptive Cruise Control

Automatically adjusts the vehicle’s speed to keep a pre-set distance from the vehicle in front of it.

Lane Centering Assistance

Provides continual steering to keep the vehicle centered in its lane.

Lane Keeping Assistance

Automatically and gently steers to prevent the vehicle from departing the lane.

Automatic High Beams

Automatically switches the vehicle’s headlights between low and high beams when an oncoming vehicle approaches based on lighting conditions and traffic. This is also known as semi-automatic beam switching.

Backup Camera

Provides the driver with a clear view directly behind the vehicle when in reverse. This is also known as a rearview video system.

Automatic Crash Notification

An automatic crash notification system notifies emergency responders that a crash has occurred and provides its location.

Technologies Explained

A forward collision warning system monitors the vehicle’s speed, the speed of the vehicle in front of it and the distance between the vehicles. If the vehicle gets too close to the vehicle ahead, the system will warn the driver of an impending crash. It’s important to note that forward collision warning systems only provide a warning to the driver and do not take action to avoid a crash.  Watch how it works.

More on how FCW works

Forward collision warning systems use sensors to detect slower-moving or stationary vehicles. When the distance between vehicles becomes so short that a crash is imminent, a signal alerts the driver so that the driver can apply the brakes or take evasive action, such as steering, to prevent a potential crash. Vehicles with this technology provide drivers with an audible alert, a visual display, or other warning signals. This helps prevent frontal crashes into the rear of slower moving or stopped vehicles.

A lane departure warning system monitors lane markings and alerts the driver when it detects that the vehicle is drifting out of its lane. It’s important to note that a lane departure warning system only provides a warning to the driver and does not take action to avoid a crash.

More on how LDW works

A lane departure warning system uses a camera to detect when the vehicle is veering out of its lane. An audio, visual, or other alert warns the driver of the unintentional lane shift so the driver can steer the vehicle back into its lane. This provides a valuable safety benefit and can help keep drivers and passengers safe from crashes such as when a vehicle strikes a car in an adjacent lane, including sideswiping a vehicle traveling in the same direction or hitting a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. Also, lane departure warning could prevent incidence of road departure and subsequent crashes off roadway.

Rear cross traffic warning alerts the driver of potential collisions, while in reverse, that may be outside the view of the backup camera.

Blind spot warning systems alert drivers with an audio or visual warning if there are vehicles in adjacent lanes that the driver may not see when making a lane change. Watch how it works.

NHTSA recommends dynamic brake support and crash imminent braking systems

Automatic emergency braking systems apply the vehicle’s brakes automatically in time to avoid or mitigate an impending forward crash with another vehicle. NHTSA believes AEB systems represent the next wave of potentially significant advances in vehicle safety. Dynamic brake support and crash imminent braking are AEB systems that potentially save lives and reduce moderate and less severe rear-end crashes that are common on our roadways. Watch how it works.

More on how DBS and CIB systems work

If the system detects a crash and the driver brakes, but not hard enough to avoid the crash, DBS automatically supplements the driver’s braking to avoid a crash. If the system detects a crash but the driver does not brake to at all, CIB automatically applies the vehicle’s brakes to slow or stop the car, avoiding the crash or reducing its severity.

Extensive research on this technology and on relevant performance measures showed that a number of AEB systems currently available in the marketplace are capable of avoiding or reducing the severity of rear-end crashes in certain situations.

A pedestrian automatic emergency braking system uses information from forward sensors to detect a pedestrian in the vehicle’s path. The system will provide automatic braking if the driver has not acted to avoid a crash. Watch how it works.

Rear automatic braking uses sensors, like parking sensors and the backup camera, to detect objects behind the vehicle. If the system detects a potential collision while in reverse, it automatically applies the brakes if a crash is imminent.

Blind spot intervention helps prevent a collision with a vehicle in the driver’s blind spot. If the driver ignores the blind spot warning, and starts to change to a lane where there’s a vehicle, the system activates and automatically applies light braking pressure, or provides steering input to guide the vehicle back into the original lane. The system monitors for vehicles in the driver’s blind spot using rear-facing cameras or proximity sensors.

Adaptive cruise control automatically adjusts the vehicle’s speed to keep a pre-set distance between it and the vehicle in front of it.

Lane centering assistance utilizes a camera-based vision system designed to monitor the vehicle’s lane position and automatically and continuously apply steering inputs needed to keep the vehicle centered within its lane.

Lane keeping assistance helps prevent the vehicle from unintentionally drifting out of its lane. The system uses information provided by lane departure warning sensors to determine whether the vehicle is about to unintentionally move out of its lane of travel. If so, the system activates and corrects the steering, brakes or accelerates one or more of the wheels, or does a combination of both, resulting in the vehicle returning to its intended lane of travel.

Automatic high beams automatically switch the vehicle’s headlights between the lower beam and the higher beam, based on lighting conditions and traffic, when an oncoming vehicle approaches. This technology, also known as semi-automatic beam switching headlamps, uses photometric sensors or onboard cameras to detect when to switch between high and low beams.

A backup camera, also known as a rearview video system, helps prevent backover crashes and protect our most vulnerable people — children and senior citizens. By providing an image of the area behind the vehicle, a backup camera helps the driver see behind the vehicle while in reverse. It’s important to remember that backup cameras are not a replacement for mirrors or turning around to look. As of May 2018, NHTSA requires this lifesaving technology on all new vehicles. Watch how it works.

An automatic crash notification system is designed to notify emergency responders that a crash has occurred and provide its location. In most cases, when the system detects that an air bag has deployed or that there’s been a dramatic and sudden deceleration, the system automatically connects to an operator, who will then be able to communicate with the driver. The operator is also able to collect basic information from the vehicle, without driver input, to provide to emergency responders so they can easily locate the scene of the crash. Automatic crash notification systems can reduce death and disability by decreasing the time it takes for emergency medical services to arrive at a crash scene and transport victims to a hospital.

NHTSA promotes the safe use and manufacture of vehicle equipment

NHTSA promotes the safe use and manufacture of vehicle equipment.

Through safety standards and consumer information, NHTSA demonstrates its commitment to reducing crashes and saving lives in the United States. NHTSA works to inform consumers about the types of driver assistance technologies that are available and which technologies we recommend.

We now know that driver assistance technologies are the right path toward safer roads. We will work diligently to bring you updated information whenever there are breakthroughs with new driver assistance technologies.

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Nearly 400 car crashes in 11 months involved automated tech, companies tell regulators

The Associated Press

A Tesla owner charges his vehicle in April 2021 at a charging station in Topeka, Kan.. Tesla reported 273 crashes involving partially automated driving systems, according to statistics released by U.S. safety regulators on Wednesday. Orlin Wagner/AP hide caption

A Tesla owner charges his vehicle in April 2021 at a charging station in Topeka, Kan.. Tesla reported 273 crashes involving partially automated driving systems, according to statistics released by U.S. safety regulators on Wednesday.

Automakers reported nearly 400 crashes of vehicles with partially automated driver-assist systems, including 273 involving Teslas, according to statistics released Wednesday by U.S. safety regulators.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cautioned against using the numbers to compare automakers, saying it didn't weight them by the number of vehicles from each manufacturer that use the systems, or how many miles those vehicles traveled.

Automakers reported crashes from July of last year through May 15 under an order from the agency, which is examining such crashes broadly for the first time.

"As we gather more data, NHTSA will be able to better identify any emerging risks or trends and learn more about how these technologies are performing in the real world," said Steven Cliff, the agency's administrator.

Tesla's crashes happened while vehicles were using Autopilot, "Full Self-Driving," Traffic Aware Cruise Control, or other driver-assist systems that have some control over speed and steering. The company has about 830,000 vehicles with the systems on the road.

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The next closest of a dozen automakers that reported crashes was Honda, with 90. Honda says it has about six million vehicles on U.S. roads with such systems. Subaru was next with 10, and all other automakers reported five or fewer.

In a June 2021 order, NHTSA told more than 100 automakers and automated vehicle tech companies to report serious crashes within one day of learning about them and to disclose less-serious crashes by the 15th day of the following month. The agency is assessing how the systems perform and whether new regulations may be needed.

NHTSA also said that five people were killed in the crashes involving driver-assist systems, and six were seriously hurt.

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Tesla's crash number also may be high because it uses telematics to monitor its vehicles and get real-time crash reports. Other automakers don't have such capability, so their reports may come slower or crashes may not be reported at all, NHTSA said. A message was left seeking comment from Tesla.

Tesla's crashes accounted for nearly 70% of the 392 reported by the dozen automakers. Although the Austin, Texas, automaker calls its systems Autopilot and "Full Self-Driving," it says the vehicles cannot drive themselves and the drivers must be ready to intervene at all times.

Other limits to the data

Manufacturers were not required to report how many vehicles they have on the road that have the systems, nor did they have to report how far those vehicles traveled, or when the systems are in use, NHTSA said. At present, those numbers aren't quantifiable, an agency official said.

However, NHTSA may seek such information later. In the meantime, the new data has enabled it to find out about crashes much faster than before. At present, it's using the crash data to look for trends and discuss them with the companies, the agency said.

Already NHTSA has used the data to seek a recall, open investigations and provide information for existing inquiries, officials said. Also, they said it's difficult to find out how many drivers actually use the technology.

"This will help our investigators quickly identify potential defect trends that can emerge," Cliff said. "These data will also help us identify crashes that we want to investigate and provide more information about how people in other vehicles interact with the vehicles."

Honda said it has packaged the systems to sell more of them, which could influence its numbers. "The population of vehicles that theoretically could be involved in a reportable event is much greater than the population of vehicles built by automakers with a less-aggressive deployment strategy," the company said.

Also, reports to NHTSA are based on unverified customer statements about whether automated systems were running at the time of a crash. Those crashes may not qualify for reporting to NHTSA after more data is gathered, Honda said.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents most automakers, said the data collected by NHTSA isn't sufficient by itself to evaluate the safety of automated vehicle systems.

Fully autonomous vehicles: 130 crashes, none serious

NHTSA's order also covered companies that are running fully autonomous vehicles, and 25 reported a total of 130 crashes. Google spinoff Waymo led with 62, followed by Transdev Alternative Services with 34 and General Motors-controlled Cruise LLC with 23.

Self-driving Waymo cars gather in a San Francisco neighborhood, confusing residents

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle unit of Alphabet Inc., said it has more than 700 autonomous vehicles in its fleet. The company is running a fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Arizona and testing one in California. The company said all the crashes happened at low speeds, with air bags inflating in only two of them.

In 108 of the crashes involving fully autonomous vehicles, no injuries were reported, and there was only one serious injury. In most of the crashes, vehicles were struck from the rear.

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Cars' adaptive cruise control raises crash risks, U.S. study finds

Reporting by Tina Bellon; Editing by Cynthia Osterman

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Ford's BlueCruise Hands-Free System Is the Subject of NTSB Probe

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a recent fatal crash in Texas that involved a Ford Mustang Mach-E.

• The NTSB indicates a BlueCruise-equipped Mustang Mach-E struck the rear of a Honda CR-V that was stationary on Highway 10 in San Antonio, Texas; the CR-V driver later died.
• Both the NTSB and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have investigated driver-assistance systems in the past.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has opened an investigation into Ford's BlueCruise hand-free driver-assist system. The probe was spurred by a recent fatal crash that involved a Ford Mustang Mach-E equipped with BlueCruise. The accident occurred on February 24 in San Antonio, Texas. The NTSB's initial report states the Mach-E struck the rear end of a stationary Honda CR-V on Highway 10. The CR-V driver later died.

According to Reuters , a San Antonio police report said the Mach-E had "partial automation" engaged when the crash occurred. The Reuters report also states that the NTSB chose to investigate the crash "due to its continued interest in advanced driver assistance systems and how vehicle operators interact with these technologies." The NTSB's initial report should be available within 30 days.

When reached for comment on the situation, a Ford spokesperson told Car and Driver , "We were recently made aware of this incident and extend our deepest sympathies to those involved. The complete facts of this event are not yet clear. Ford reported this incident to NHTSA as soon as we were made aware, and we are actively researching all available information. Safety is a top priority for all of us at Ford, and we will collaborate fully with any resulting investigation."

BlueCruise is classified as a Level 2 autonomous system. That means the driver is still responsible for the actions of the vehicle and must be ready to resume control if the situation requires it. To keep drivers from avoiding that responsibility, BlueCruise-equipped vehicles feature a camera and infrared light emitters in the cabin to monitor what they're watching. If the driver's eyes wander too long from the task at hand, BlueCruise will shut down.

The recent Mach-E crash and subsequent investigation came shortly after the IIHS failed nearly every automaker in a new rating program intended to evaluate partially automated driving systems. The NTSB is not alone in investigating the safety of new driver-aid systems. Other government safety agencies, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), are also actively researching the technology.

Jack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver . His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf.

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• Cruise Control Errors That May Lead to a Car Crash

Posted on behalf of Jeff Pitman on June 10, 2022 in Car Accidents

At PKSD, we are dedicated to holding at-fault drivers accountable for their actions. If you have been injured in a crash caused by another driver’s negligence, our Milwaukee-based auto accident lawyers may be able to help. Contact our firm today to learn about your potential legal options and whether you are eligible to seek compensation.

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What is Cruise Control?

There are two main types of cruise control in use today. The earlier model, which most people are likely familiar with, and adaptive cruise control (ACC), a high-tech improvement of the older version.

Cruise control reduces gas waste by helping drivers maintain a steady speed. This means there are also fewer drivers heavily accelerating to speed past other vehicles.

Adaptive cruise control is a significant upgrade from earlier versions of this safety system. ACC uses sensory technology that comes installed in newer vehicles. This could include cameras, radar equipment, lasers and more.

In addition to controlling speed and braking, as older versions of cruise control do, ACC systems may also:

• Detect how close cars are to each other
• Detect objects on the roadway
• Use flashing lights to alert drivers about potential forward collisions
• Sound audible warnings in addition to flashing lights

There are multiple levels and types of ACC, but they generally do variations of the same thing. You may have a laser-based system, multi-sensor system or predictive systems, among a few.

If you have a predictive systems ACC, for example, your vehicle uses sensors to detect and predict the actions of nearby vehicles. If a car cuts you off, your vehicle might suddenly brake to avoid a potential rear-end collision with that vehicle.

How Effective are Cruise Control and ACC Systems?

A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) revealed that overall there was potential for newer ACC’s to reduce the number of crashes.

However, the IIHS study also revealed findings that were more concerning. For example, many drivers believe, mistakenly, that ACC systems will keep them from being in a crash. While cruise control can help to improve road safety when used properly, it is not intended to replace an attentive driver. Drivers also became overconfident, setting their ACC to speeds higher than the posted limits.

While ACC systems were found to have the capability to reduce crashes by as much as 14 percent, there is also a negative impact. The IIHS concluded that because of the way drivers misused these systems, ACC actually increases the likelihood of a fatal crash by 10 percent.

When is it Dangerous to Use Cruise Control?

Cruise control is not intended to be used in every driving situation. In fact, when used under the wrong road or weather conditions, it could greatly increase the risk of a crash.

Dangerous situations when drivers should not use cruise control include:

• Any type of heavy traffic: Cruise control and ACC does not work well in slower, heavy traffic. The reason for this is that you cannot maintain a constant speed when you continually stop and go. Using cruise control during busy or slower traffic could cause you to crash into another vehicle.
• When roads are wet, slick or slippery: Using cruise control when there is any type of wet, snowy or icy weather is dangerous. Cruise control is not intended to be used in this type of weather; doing so could increase your risk of hydroplaning or sliding out of control.
• Going up and down hills: ACC also does not work on hills. You need to accelerate going uphill and then reduce your speed going downhill. Using cruise control could cause you to go too fast and end up causing a rear-end collision.
• Traveling on winding roads: Roads with a lot of bends in them can be extremely hazardous if you use cruise control. It is important to travel slower on these roads to maintain control of your vehicle and prevent causing harm to others.

The best way to use ACC or even an older version of cruise control is exactly as the manufacturer intended. Drivers who use ACC negligently may be held liable for the damages if a crash occurs.

Injured in a Crash? Call Our Trusted Law Firm Today

At PKSD, we are here to help. If a negligent driver caused your crash, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your medical costs, lost wages and other losses.

Call our firm to schedule your initial consultation. Our firm is available to take your call anytime, night or day, and there is no cost for this meeting. After your FREE case review, if we determine you have a valid claim, you may choose to hire a qualified attorney at our firm with no upfront costs .

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Cars' adaptive cruise control raises crash risks, U.S. study finds

(Reuters) - Adaptive cruise control systems on cars, which control braking and speed, raise the risk of traffic crashes because the technology leads drivers to go faster, a U.S. study found on Thursday.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that drivers using adaptive cruise control (ACC) were more likely to set a target speed that was over the limit because of the perception that the system enhanced their safety.

The research concluded that drivers using the technology were at a 10% higher risk of a fatal crash compared to manual drivers due to the faster cruising speeds selected.

"ACC does have some safety benefits, but it's important to consider how drivers might cancel out these benefits by misusing the system," IIHS statistician Sam Monfort, the lead author of the paper, said in a statement.

The study analyzed 40 Boston-area drivers who over a four-week period drove a 2016 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque or a 2017 Volvo S90. The crash-risk finding was reached by statistical analysis rather than real-world crashes.

The study authors said more research was required to determine if the risk from speeding could be offset by the systems' faster reaction time and ability to take defensive action by braking.

The semi-automated technology is part of a suite of advanced driver assistance systems available in new cars and able to handle some routine driving tasks under limited circumstances.

While many features, such as automated braking and blind spot detection, have proven safety benefits, others, including pedestrian detection, are still in their infancy.

A 2020 study by the Highway Loss Data Institute, an IIHS-affiliated insurance research group, found that some adaptive cruise control systems can lower crashes.

(Reporting by Tina Bellon; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

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Insurance Safety Institute Finds Adaptive Cruise Control Raises Fatal Crash Risk

Adaptive cruise control systems on cars, which control braking and speed, raise the risk of traffic crashes because the technology leads drivers to go faster, a U.S. study found on Thursday.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that drivers using adaptive cruise control (ACC) were more likely to set a target speed that was over the limit because of the perception that the system enhanced their safety.

The research concluded that drivers using the technology were at a 10% higher risk of a fatal crash compared to manual drivers due to the faster cruising speeds selected.

“ACC does have some safety benefits, but it’s important to consider how drivers might cancel out these benefits by misusing the system,” IIHS statistician Sam Monfort, the lead author of the paper, said in a statement.

The study analyzed 40 Boston-area drivers who over a four-week period drove a 2016 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque or a 2017 Volvo S90. The crash-risk finding was reached by statistical analysis rather than real-world crashes.

The study authors said more research was required to determine if the risk from speeding could be offset by the systems’ faster reaction time and ability to take defensive action by braking.

The semi-automated technology is part of a suite of advanced driver assistance systems available in new cars and able to handle some routine driving tasks under limited circumstances.

While many features, such as automated braking and blind spot detection, have proven safety benefits, others, including pedestrian detection, are still in their infancy.

A 2020 study by the Highway Loss Data Institute, an IIHS-affiliated insurance research group, found that some adaptive cruise control systems can lower crashes.

(Reporting by Tina Bellon; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

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Is Adaptive Cruise Control Increasing the Risk of Car Accidents?

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is an advanced safety system that is offered in many newer vehicles. It is an upgrade from regular cruise control, which allows drivers to set a speed and not have to keep pressing down on the accelerator. Although both features sounds like they are safe and convenient, there may be safety risks involved with the newer systems. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently posted a report claiming that ACC actually increases the risk of car accidents .

ACC allows drivers to set a speed and following distance from the car in front of them. It that car in front slows down, the ACC automatically brakes or slows down as well. Some ACC systems even have cameras and will slow the vehicle down if there are posted speed limit changes or tighter curves in the road.

According to the IIHS, the problems occur when drivers misuse the ACC system. The IIHS found that people often set target speeds that are higher than posted limits because they think that using ACC will safeguard them from crashes. The IIHS reported that ACC can cause speeding . The study looked at 40 drivers in the Boston area who were in ACC-equipped vehicles. The IIHS concluded that drivers using ACC were 10 percent more likely to be involved in fatal motor vehicle accidents than manual drivers.

Are Advanced Safety Systems Effective?

Motor Trend posted that the best adaptive cruise control systems have a stop-and-go functionality that will stop the vehicle when traffic comes to a halt. Other advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) include blind spot detection, tire pressure indicator warnings, automatic emergency braking, and rear-forward collision warnings. Many studies indicate that these systems reduce motor vehicle accidents. Another study by the IIHS showed that vehicles with blind-spot monitoring were involved in 14 percent fewer crashes compared to vehicles without that feature.

ADAS are not perfect, though. For example, when waiting at a multi-lane traffic signal, the blind-spot monitoring system can be mistakenly activated. This can happen when cars that are in adjacent lanes turn in one direction at the same time. This could cause a driver to get surprised and get into a crash. Another problem, which applies to ACC and other features, is user error. Drivers may be overconfident and drive too fast or follow too closely to other motorists. Some also turn off the safety features because they feel they do not need them.

Many experts feel that auto safety features do have benefits as long as the systems are used correctly. An IIHS statistician stated that the safety benefits can be canceled out when drivers misuse the systems. Another important consideration is the cost. ADAS-equipped cars and trucks cost more than other vehicles, including the selling prices, repair, and maintenance costs. Longer repair times are also common, since the systems are more complex. Some people who own or are thinking of purchasing ADAS vehicles may wonder if their auto insurance costs will decrease, but this has not happened thus far.

Is Speeding a Common Problem?

Even with ACC-equipped cars, drivers are still prone to speeding. Another study by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) revealed that 25 percent of fatal car accidents are caused by speeding. In many accidents where speeding was a cause, the speeding goes unreported because of other contributing factors, like drunk driving and distracted driving .

Drivers who speed have less time to come to a stop and react to hazards on the road. They also have less control on icy or wet roads, roads with sand or gravel, and curved roads. Additionally, speeding increases the amount of energy released in a crash, making the impact much stronger. This causes more injuries to vehicle occupants and pedestrians and more vehicle damage as well. Moreover, speeding makes crash safety features like seat belts and airbags less effective.

How are Speeding Drivers Held Accountable?

Not all speeding drivers get pulled over or end up in accidents. However, speeding motorists can be held accountable if they are caught, especially when their reckless driving causes another person to get hurt. Speeding is against the law, and people who are caught can end up with fines, speeding tickets, and license suspensions. Speeding drivers who cause the death of another person can face potential criminal penalties, such as vehicular manslaughter and wrongful death .

If a motorist is found to be legally liable for causing another person’s injuries, the driver could have to pay out significant monetary damages on top of any fines handed down. Every driver on every road owes the public a duty of care. This includes making responsible decisions while behind the wheel and following traffic laws. Drivers who violate the duty of care and are found to be negligent for causing another person’s physical or emotional harm may also face civil consequences, like a personal injury lawsuit.

The majority of drivers have auto insurance policies that protect them from the monetary consequences of causing accidents, but this does not mean that their responsibilities have ended. If they do not lose their insurance coverage, they will likely see their premiums increase significantly. If the damages they caused are above the policy limits, their personal assets may come into play. In some cases, a liable speeding driver’s money and other personal property might be available to compensate the victim.

What Should I Do After a Speeding Accident?

Anyone involved in a speeding accident should remain at the collision scene. Leaving the scene could lead to criminal penalties. The first step to do is to call 911 and to provide the operator with information about any injuries as well as the location of the crash. The cars should be moved to a safe location if they present any hazards to other road users. An ambulance may be sent if anyone is hurt, and when the police arrive, they will ask questions and take down information. The police should provide details about how to obtain a copy of an accident report, which is important to have for a future claim.

The drivers should exchange information, including their licenses and insurance cards. Taking photographs of license plates, vehicle damage, injuries, road conditions, and anything else that describes the scene will provide helpful evidence for the insurance claim or potential lawsuit. The auto insurance company should also be called, but they should only be given facts without elaboration. Admitting fault to anyone involved is never a good idea.

If medical care is required, careful record keeping is essential. Copies of diagnoses, treatment plans, follow-up care documentation, and medical bills should all be kept together in a file. If there is damage to the vehicle, it is recommended to take it to an independent mechanic or body shop for an estimate. Although insurance companies usually recommend their own shops, having a second opinion is a good idea. For additional help with a lawsuit, a car accident victim should retain a lawyer.

Delaware Car Accident Lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC Offer Trusted Legal Guidance to Clients Involved in Speed-Related Collisions

Advanced auto safety features are helpful if they are used properly. If you were injured by a speeding driver, reach out to one of our experienced Delaware car accident lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC . Our legal team will investigate the cause of the accident, evaluate the harm that was caused, and design a strategy to obtain the compensation you deserve. For a free consultation, call us at 302-888-1221 or complete our online form . Located in Wilmington, Delaware, we serve clients throughout the state, including Dover, Newark, and Middletown.

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What To Do After a Defective Cruise Control Accident

Causes of cruise control accidents.

There are many potential causes of cruise control-related collisions depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident. In some cases, the cruise control system may be faulty or malfunctioning. In other cases, the driver may not have set the system correctly or may have failed to disengage it properly. Weather conditions can also impact the performance of cruise control mechanisms, potentially leading to a crash.

Who’s At Fault For a Cruise Control-Related Crash?

Many factors can contribute to a cruise control accident, and it can be difficult to determine who is at fault. In some cases, multiple parties may share fault. The driver may be at fault for not properly maintaining the vehicle or for not using the cruise control feature correctly. In other cases, the manufacturer may be at fault for inherently dangerous defects in the cruise control system.

Signs of Defective Cruise Control

Sometimes, there may be indicators present that suggest a cruise control system may be defective . This is not always the case, but because cruise control crashes are so dangerous, it’s important to be aware of these signs that there’s potentially a problem with your vehicle.

The cruise control system does not disengage when you brake or shift the vehicle into neutral.

If you depress the brake or go into neutral, your cruise control system should automatically turn off without you having to disengage the cruise control from the wheel. When this doesn’t work, your car may not slow down in the event you need to stop quickly.

The cruise control system engages on its own.

If you are driving and your cruise system suddenly comes on, you should pull over and have your vehicle inspected as soon as possible before driving it again. Accidents can easily be caused when a driver is unaware that their vehicle is on cruise, particularly on highways and at greater speeds .

Who Is At Fault For a Cruise Control Collision?

It can be difficult to determine who’s at fault after any accident, let alone one potentially caused by a defective mechanism. But there are a few key factors that can help to determine who may be held responsible:

• Manufacturers may be at fault for a collision if the car had a design or manufacturing flaw.
• Vehicle mechanics and dealerships may be responsible for damages if the car was not properly serviced or repaired.
• The other driver may be at fault if they were speeding, following too closely, or breaking another law that caused or contributed to the accident.

Depending on the circumstances of a case, more than one at-fault party may be named in an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. A judge will determine what percentage responsible each at-fault party is for the incident.

How to Get Compensation For Damages

There are a few different ways you can go about obtaining compensation for any damages you suffered as a result of a cruise control accident, like medical bills and lost wages. First, you may be able to file an insurance claim with your insurance company or the insurer of the other driver involved in the accident, if applicable.

In the event that a mechanic, dealership, or manufacturer is at fault for a defective cruise control system that caused a collision, you may be able to file a lawsuit with the help of a personal injury attorney. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to sue for monetary compensation, medical cost reimbursement, non-economic damages like pain and suffering, and potentially punitive damages if the at-fault party was egregiously negligent and/or the damages were extreme.

Get Legal Help After a Cruise Control Crash Now

The best way to respond to a cruise control accident is to seek experienced legal help. An attorney can investigate the cause of the accident and help you gather the necessary evidence and build a strong case. At Mazow | McCullough, PC, we have extensive experience working with car accident victims and their families and can provide you with the comprehensive legal support you and your loved ones need after a devastating motor vehicle collision.

Call our office today for more information at (978) 744-8000 or toll-free at (855) 693-9084. Serving the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and State of New Jersey.

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Cruise control: convenience or curse.

The Rosen News Team Apr 19, 2017

Despite its advantages, drivers using cruise control react to emergencies more slowly, researchers say.

Most vehicles now come equipped with cruise control, which many motorists believe to be as essential as air conditioning and power windows. While cruise control allows drivers to relax and let the car take over, the use of cruise control in certain situations can be extremely dangerous.

According to a Wall Street Journal report , a French study found that drivers who rely on cruise control could be putting themselves at a higher risk for drowsy or distracted driving by impairing their vigilance, as well as their ability to respond to emergency situations, by allowing them to be inactive for long periods of time when they rely on cruise control.

The researchers found that drivers’ episodes of drowsiness increased by 25 percent when they were utilizing cruise control, compared with those who weren’t using it. They also found that reaction time for emergencies was lengthened by an average of one second, or 131 feet, when the vehicle was traveling at the French speed limit of 130 kilometers per hour (81 miles per hour).

Advantages of Cruise Control

The most obvious advantage of cruise control is that it allows a driver to maintain a steady rate of speed (set by them) while they rest their feet. Some other benefits that cruise control offers include:

• It enhances driver comfort during extended road trips.
• By setting the speed via cruise control, a driver can avoid exceeding the posted speed limit and violating driving laws.
• Cruise control allows a motorist to maintain a consistent speed and increase fuel economy .

Disadvantages of Cruise Control

Despite the convenience of cruise control, there are some important disadvantages to it as well, including:

• Drivers using cruise control do not apply constant pressure on the gas pedal, which can increase the risk of auto accidents when maneuvering through traffic.
• The use of cruise control is not recommended in rain, snow, or icy conditions when the vehicle could begin to slide on the wet road.
• During inclement weather, particularly rain or snow, applying pressure on the brake to deactivate cruise control may cause the vehicle to veer out of control and cause an accident.
• If you’re driving on back roads or are extremely tired, cruise control can cause a driver to “zone out” and pay less attention to the road.
• Some think cruise control promotes careless and distracted driving, since drivers don’t have to keep an eye on the dashboard to monitor their speed and accidents can occur if the system malfunctions.

The Future of Cruise Control

Car manufacturers are now offering adaptive cruise control , which will automatically adjust your speed to match the flow of traffic around you, allowing your car to follow the one in front of you at a safe distance. While this is no doubt a useful feature for those stuck in stop-and-go rush hour traffic, whether or not this intelligent form of cruise control will actually increase safety remains to be seen.

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Why Misuse of Adaptive Cruise Control Could Cause a Dangerous Crash in Pennsylvania

Posted on behalf of Schmidt Kramer on April 27, 2023  in  Car Accidents

The problem is some drivers misuse cruise control and increase the risk of dangerous accidents. For example, some drivers use cruise control in heavy traffic, or they are not as attentive as they should be.

Below, our Harrisburg auto accident attorney discuss the pros and cons of cruise control, including adaptive cruise control systems. We also discuss the dangers of negligent use of these features. When negligence causes a crash, victims may be eligible to seek compensation.

Call us today. There are no upfront fees for our services: (717) 727-2550 .

How Cruise Control/Adaptive Cruise Control Systems Work

Vehicles have been equipped with cruise control systems for decades. At first, all these systems did was make vehicles travel at a consistent speed.

However, technological advances have led to the creation of adaptive cruise control (ACC). These systems will not only control your vehicle’s speed. They may also use sensory technology (cameras, radar, lasers, etc.) to predict what other drivers are going to do. If another car cuts you off, ACC may apply the brake to help prevent a crash.

Sensory technology can allow ACC systems to:

• Determine the distance between your vehicle and others
• Set off flashing lights and audible warnings when there is a risk of a crash
• Detect debris/objects on the road
• Steer to keep your vehicle in a lane
• Detect pedestrians

ACC systems often have a preset following distance. If your vehicle starts to get too close to another, the ACC system will slow down to maintain the preset following distance. Once the vehicle in front of you speeds up or moves out of the way, your ACC system will accelerate to the speed you originally set.

If you go into a tight turn or curve, the ACC system may automatically slow your vehicle down to help prevent a crash.

Some systems have a lane change assist function that changes lanes for you, ensuring your vehicle is in the center of the new lane. The system will check to be sure traffic is clear and it is safe to make a lane change.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Cruise Control?

Cruise control can make it easier to drive, especially adaptive cruise control features like those discussed above. Using control can also help you maintain better gas mileage, potentially lowering your monthly bill for gas. Your car uses the most gas when speeding up and slowing down, so maintaining a consistent speed reduces the amount of braking and acceleration your vehicle does.

The danger of using cruise control is that drivers can become distracted. Drivers may lose focus on driving because they feel like cruise control has it covered. Use of cruise control could also make drivers more likely to get tired. Being fully engaged in the task of driving may help drivers to avoid feeling drowsy.

Often, drivers who are using cruise control have delayed reaction time with the use of their brakes. This could make a crash more likely to happen.

Does Use of Cruise Control Help Reduce Car Accidents?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted a study about ACC systems , and it revealed there is potential for newer ACC systems to reduce the risk of car accidents.

Other research has revealed use of ACC systems increases following distance and reduces the amount of passing and lane changing. However, the increase in following distance only occurs if drivers leave following distance at the default setting.

However, the IIHS study also found drivers are more likely to misuse these systems, which is why there may be a 10 percent higher risk of a fatal crash.

The study found drivers are more likely to speed when they use cruise control or partial automation. Drivers often set the cruise control speed higher than the posted speed limit.

This research reinforces the point that these systems are not a substitute for being an attentive driver. You should not use cruise control because you think it is automatically going to prevent an accident. You will need to pay attention and be ready to brake or steer to avoid a collision.

When Drivers Should Avoid Using Cruise Control

Despite how convenient cruise control is, you should not use it all the time. There are situations when use of cruise control is dangerous, as it could greatly increase the risk of a crash:

• In heavy traffic – Your risk of a rear-end crash could go up considerably if you use cruise control in a traffic jam. It is hard for cruise control to maintain a consistent speed when it needs to constantly slow down and speed up. It is better for you to take control and stay completely focused on driving.
• At night – Using cruise control often leads to drowsy driving. This behavior is particularly dangerous at night . By allowing cruise control to take over, you may be more likely to fall asleep or lose focus on driving.
• On hills – You need to be cautious on hills whether you are using cruise control or not. If you go too fast up the hill you could rear-end someone on the other side. Cruise control may make this more likely.
• On winding roads – Winding roads are dangerous, and you need to closely monitor and adjust your speed on each turn. If you are going to use cruise control on a winding road, make sure to reduce the speed.
• In bad weather – If the road is wet from rain, snow or ice, speeding can make a crash much more likely to happen. If you use cruise control, you may be more likely to speed. This also applies to bad road conditions.

Call Schmidt Kramer to Discuss Your Car Accident

If your crash was caused by a driver who was speeding, distracted or otherwise acting carelessly, that driver may be liable for damages you suffered. This includes the cost of your medical treatment, both now and in the future.

Our attorneys have decades of combined experience helping the injured in Pennsylvania. We do not charge upfront fees for our services and the initial legal consultation is free of charge. We have secured over $100 million on behalf of our clients.

We are ready to help you seek full compensation. Call (717) 727-2550 .

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Cruise Control as Auto-Pilot

Legend holds that an unfamiliar driver set the cruise control on his vehicle and then slipped into the backseat for a nap., snopes staff, barbara mikkelson, published dec. 9, 2000.

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[Brunvand, 1987] There was the woman who took literally the salesman's pitch that her new van equipped with cruise control would practically drive itself. Days later, the woman was cruising along a highway in the Washington, D.C., area, when her baby started crying from the back of the van. The dutiful mother momentarily left the wheel to get the baby, and a multiple-car crash (with only minor injuries) ensued. Allstate paid off that claim. [Collected on the Internet, 1995] This guy saves up his money and finally gets the van he always wanted. Fridge and tv in the back, all the works. He starts driving out on a country road that leads to his home. He sets the van on cruise control and gets out of the drivers seat and goes into the back to get a beer. The van of course goes off the road, and when the paramedics ask him what happened, he said he thought he had auto-pilot. [Collected on the Internet, 1993] An old china man was driving along in his motor home. He turned on his 'cruise control'. Apparently misunderstanding the function of 'cruise control', he then went into the back of the motor home. The motor home drove off the road and crashed. Apparently he did not realize that 'cruise control' is not 'autopilot.'

Jan Harold Brunvand, the master of urban legends, has a fair bit to say about this legend.

The legend began in the late 1970s when cruise control was first available for RVs (which then was the vehicle always featured in this legend). As he says, "Sometimes it was a retired couple that made the dangerous (but never fatal) error with cruise control, otherwise it was a young and naive driver."

Versions starring a wealthy student from the Middle East also began circulating at that time (one reader recalls seeing such a tale mentioned in a newspaper in 1977 or 1978), but these don't appear to have achieved widespread acceptance until 1984 or thereabouts. Wrote Brunvand: "The implication here, of course, is that rich Arabs don't understand technology, and as a result they may be 'getting what they deserve' when they spend their wealth so lavishly in the United States."

These days, the victim(s) will often be described as an older couple, people you'd find it likely to believe would be baffled by the technology. In earlier versions from around the time of the Great Gasoline Shortage in the U.S., you'd be told the victim was an Arab with too much money and too little sense. In versions earlier than that, the victims were unfamiliar with the technology not because they were new to this country or plain mechanical klutzs, but rather because the technology itself was new.

Brunvand also points out: "A persistent feature in car legends of this kind is the denigration of a minority person (senior citizen, foreigner, woman, etc.) who allegedly misunderstands the nature of some new but fairly uncomplicated technological device."

In the spring of 2002, a telling of the venerable Cruise Control legend became part of a widely circulated "outrageous lawsuits" list known on the Internet as the " Stella Awards ":

In November 2000, Mr. Grazinski purchased a brand new 32 foot Winnebago motor home. On his first trip home, having joined the freeway, he set the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the drivers seat to go into the back and make himself a cup of coffee. Not surprisingly, the Winnie left the freeway, crashed and overturned. Mr. Grazinski sued Winnebago for not advising him in the handbook that he could not actually do this. He was awarded $1,750,000 plus a new Winnebago.

In September 2009, the Grazinski entry reappeared, this time changing the hapless driver into a woman:

This year's runaway First Place Stella Award winner was: Mrs. Merv Grazinski, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, who purchased new 32-foot Winnebago motor home. On her first trip home, from an OU football game, having driven on to the freeway, she set the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the driver's seat to go to the back of the Winnebago to make herself a sandwich. Not surprisingly, the motor home left the freeway, crashed and overturned. Also not surprisingly, Mrs. Grazinski sued Winnebago for not putting in the owner's manual that she couldn't actually leave the driver's seat while the cruise control was set. The Oklahoma jury awarded her, are you sitting down? $1,750,000 PLUS a new motor home. Winnebago actually changed their manuals as a result of this suit, just in case Mrs. Grazinski has any relatives who might also buy a motor home

The Grazinski entry had been added to a compilation of other false entries — it was just another howler tacked on.

Brunvand, Jan Harold.   The Choking Doberman .     New York: W. W. Norton, 1984.   0-393-30321-7   (pp. 63-66).

Brunvand, Jan Harold.   Too Good to Be True .     New York: W. W. Norton, 1999.   ISBN 0-393-04734-2   (pp. 295-296).

Fiery, Ann.   The Complete and Totally True Book of Urban Legends .     Philadelphia: Running Press Books, 2001.   ISBN 0-7624-107404   (pp. 120-124).

The Big Book of Urban Legends .     New York: Paradox Press, 1994.   ISBN 1-56389-165-4   (p. 93).

By Snopes Staff

By barbara mikkelson, article tags.

A New Adaptive Cruise Control Considering Crash Avoidance for Intelligent Vehicle

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Skoda driver decapitated after claiming car's cruise control was stuck

Kaushal Gandhi, 32, died when his Skoda Octavia slammed into the back of a stationary lorry at 94mph, inquest hears

An inquest has heard an eight-and-a-half minute 999 call made by a driver who claimed his cruise control was stuck, leaving him unable to stop his car reaching speeds of more than 100 miles an hour before it slammed into a stationary lorry on the M40.

Kaushal Gandhi, 32, was decapitated when his Skoda Octavia collided with the 18-tonne truck, which was parked in a layby close to where the motorway merges with the A40 in Denham, Buckinghamshire.

The force of the impact, in the early hours of 2 February, embedded the car under the lorry up to its back wheels and peeled its roof back. The inquest in Beaconsfield on Thursday heard that the 999 operator was on the line with the driver when his car hit the lorry.

Gandhi, who worked for Rehncy Shaheen chartered accountants in Greenford, west London , told the male operator: “My car is not coming out of the cruise control. I have just passed the exit of the M40 towards Slough. It is not letting me stop. It [the speedometer] shows 70mph, but I think I am going much faster than this.”

The operator, from Thames Valley police, asked him if he could slow the vehicle by braking or using the gears. Gandhi responded: “I am trying. It is not stopping at neutral.” A faint beep could be heard as he tried turning off the engine by pressing the start-stop button on the car, which does not have an ignition requiring a key.

The inquest heard that the car’s data-recorder was destroyed in the collision but had fed information to the airbag system. However, senior coroner Crispin Butler said this failed to provide evidence of the defects that Gandhi, from Harrow, north London, described on his 999 call.

Martin Clatworthy, a vehicle data examiner and safety specialist for Volkswagen, which makes the Skoda, told the inquest that the airbag systems gave the speed, steering, accelerator pedal position and braking of the car in the five seconds before the crash.

The car was travelling at 116mph with the accelerator pedal fully depressed five seconds before the crash, while no braking was recorded. It continued to accelerate and hit a top speed of 119mph, with the accelerator pedal pressed two-thirds of the way down. Then just two seconds before the impact, at 94mph (152kph), the accelerator was not depressed at all.

“There is no indication that there was any error or problem with any of the electronic systems of the car in the five seconds leading up to the collision,” Clatworthy said.

Police collision investigator Andrew Evans said there were no skid marks near the layby and that the faults Gandhi described meant the Skoda would have had to have suffered a simultaneous mechanical and electronic failure.

Applying the handbrake could have saved the driver’s life by forcing the car’s rear wheels to lock up and turn it around so it skidded backwards.

The coroner ruled out any suggestion that that Gandhi, who was born in Mumbai, had committed suicide. A postmortem gave the cause of death as multiple injuries, while a toxicology report showed no substances that would have affected Gandhi’s driving.

Butler recorded a narrative verdict. “At the time of the impact the speed of the vehicle was 152kmph. The accelerator pedal is recorded as having been depressed fully five seconds prior to the impact but not depressed at all at 1.5 seconds prior to the impact. The steering input data indicates small deviations left and right during the last five seconds. In the eight-and-a-half minute period prior to the collision, Mr Gandhi had been engaged in a phone conversation with Thames Valley police.“The vehicle was badly damaged in the collision but subsequent extensive investigations have not revealed any evidence of the faults described by Mr Gandhi.”

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Flames billowed from the back of the Carnival Freedom cruise ship after a fire ignited in the ship’s exhaust funnel as the vessel was just off the coast of the Bahamas. Two crew members on a Holland America cruise ship were killed after an incident in an engineering space aboard the vessel. NBC News’ Marissa Parra reports. March 24, 2024

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