Starting in 2020, North Carolina motorists will be able to purchase Volvos that will not exceed a speed of 112 miles per hour. By the early 2020s, the company will begin rolling out safety features that detect certain driver behaviors. These are part of an overall effort by the company to cut down on accidents caused by drunk driving.
The company says it is focusing on prevention rather than minimizing how severe accidents are. Volvo will begin to equip its cars with cameras and sensors that detect when drivers close their eyes or do not look at the road for a significant time. The technology will also monitor whether drivers have not steered for some time and slow reaction times. The cars may take action in response, such as by reducing speed or even parking in a safe spot.
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicate that drunk driving around the country kills an average of nearly 30 people daily. In 2017, a total of 10,874 people died in alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents. The actions that the cars will monitor are also typical of distracted drivers, and the technology may reduce crashes caused by that negligent behavior as well.
Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, other drivers and passengers are all at risk from people who are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or who are not paying attention while behind the wheel. The injuries that result from these types of accidents can be serious, and the victims may be due compensation for their expenses and other costs, such as lost wages. If the responsible driver’s insurance company’s offer is insufficient, a lawsuit might be the next step.
