Do Lane Departure Warning Systems Help Prevent Car Accidents?

Though the nature of lane departure warning systems will change as technology advances, it is already an excellent safety feature.

Vehicle safety technology is getting smarter and more widespread every year, and that trend shows no signs of slowing down. One of the most important of them is lane departure warning systems, which are already saving lives on the streets of St. Louis. Here’s what you need to know about this crucial safety feature.

How Lane Departure Warning Systems Work

Lane departure warning systems do precisely what their name implies: They give you a notification when you are drifting out of your lane. What makes this technology so impressive is that it detects slight shifts in positioning and manages to warn you before it is too late.

Why They’re So Effective

The reason this technology is so useful is that it stops people from leaving their lane. This outcome is crucial because of how many accidents drifting causes. Whether that is only a few feet or across multiple lanes, the result is often a collision. Having a warning system informs drivers of their mistakes before they make them and allow for behavioral correction.

Intoxication, Drowsiness, and Distraction

We mention these three dangerous driving habits because they frequently cause lane departures. They do so in the following ways.

• Intoxication – Drifting is one of the most common indicators of drunk driving, and it is one of the reasons why this behavior is so dangerous.

• Drowsiness – Whether drowsiness leads to a momentary lapse of attention or falling asleep entirely, lane departure is a typical result.

• Distraction – Distracted drivers take their attention off the road to complete some other task, such as sending a text. That small amount of time with their eyes off the road frequently leads to leaving their lane accidentally.

The Future of Warning Systems

Currently, warning systems detect movement and give you a flashing notification of lane departures. Going forward, vehicles could take action by themselves and keep you in your lane through autonomous driving technology. For now, though, having good habits and the current technology is sufficient.

The Future of Liability

One question people often ask lawyers is whether or not a company can be liable for failing technology. In the case of a lane departure system, that might mean no warning coming in despite a person drifting. The general result of these collisions is that the vehicle manufacturer has no liability, as they usually only do when a more crucial function, like braking, is compromised. That trend may change as technology progresses, though, as an entirely autonomous system will complicate legality and liability.

Though the nature of lane departure warning systems will change as technology advances, it is already an excellent safety feature. What you might want to do is look for this capability when you purchase your next car. Considering how effective it is, spending a bit extra on a vehicle that has it could be worth the price tag.