New cars and trucks come with an array of safety features designed to reduce traffic accidents on roads in West Virginia and elsewhere. Unfortunately, many new vehicles are also stocked with distracting electronic gadgets, including infotainment and GPS systems, that could increase the risk of car crashes.
For example, a recent AAA study conducted by researchers from the University of Utah examined 30 different dashboard systems on 2017 vehicles and found that all of them required moderate or high levels of driver interaction. Specifically, seven of the studied systems required moderate levels of interaction, 11 required high levels of interaction and 12 required very high levels of interaction. None of the systems required low levels of interaction. The study also found that using GPS systems and sending texts were the most distracting interactions.
To come to these conclusions, researchers had drivers between the ages of 21 and 36 interact with dashboard systems while driving. The types of interactions required included issuing voice commands, using touch screens, executing phone calls, sending texts, changing radio stations and inputting navigation commands. The researchers then measured how long it took drivers to complete each interaction and how much visual and cognitive distraction was imposed by each task. The authors of the study said that automakers need to be more selective when choosing what types of infotainment systems to install in vehicles. Specifically, they need to install systems that prioritize safety.
Distracted driving causes thousands of serious car accidents across the U.S. every year. The victim of a distracted driving accident may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. This type of lawsuit could help the victim obtain compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, property loss and other accident-related damages. A lawyer familiar with car crash claims could evaluate a claim and provide detailed legal guidance.
