Tech advances lower chance that driver will die in car crash

[cpzilliacus]

AP via WTOP Radio: Tech advances lower chance that driver will die in car crash

The chances of a driver dying in a crash in a late-model car or light truck fell by more than a third over three years, and nine car models had zero deaths per million registered vehicles, according to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Improved vehicle designs and safety technology have a lot to do with the reduced risk, but a weak economy that led to reductions in driving may also have played a role, the institute said.

The study, which examined fatalities involving 2011 model year vehicles, looked at how many driver fatalities occurred in a particular model over the course of a year of operation, expressed as a rate per million registered vehicle years. It found there was an average of 28 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years through the 2012 calendar year, down from 48 deaths for 2008 models through 2009.

[Crazy Volvo Guy]

I would argue that some of these tech advances, while lowering fatalities, may also be ultimately causing more accidents.  Driver aids are creating an attitude amongst younger folks especially that moderately distracted driving is okay, "because the car will _______ for me."  The results of such an attitude would not be good results.

[dcbjms]

^ I agree.  Mom has been developing that attitude ever since we got a new car.  Me, I can't drive to save myself but maybe just to prove to her that I can do it without the fancy gadgets (well, except the heated seats and steering wheel - I ain't givin' that up!).

[3467]

Whatever happened to night vision?