Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
NHTSA Study Shows Driver Inattention is Leading Factor in Car Accidents
A recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation has found that when it comes to driver behavior, more accidents are caused by recognition errors caused by driver fatigue rather than speeding.
National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey
It had been nearly 30 years since the last on scene crash causation study had been conducted. Over time, driver behavior and other factors have changed considerably, which is why the U.S. Congress authorized the NHTSA to perform the National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey (NMVCCS).
The focus of the survey was on key factors related to pre-crash events.
Researchers examined a total of 6,950 auto accidents during the 3-year period from January 2005 to December 2007, but only used a sample of 5,471 crashes in the report. Authorities allowed the researchers to investigate the scene of the accident, shortly after the event occurred. That gave researchers the opportunity to talk with drivers, passengers and witnesses involved in the car accidents. They were also able to look at relatively undisturbed information relating to the events and factors that led up to the accident.
Key Factors for Avoiding Collisions
Various technologies are well underway to help prevent accidents, as well as protect the vehicle's occupants in the case of a crash.
These technologies include:
- electronic stability control systems,
- lane departure warning systems,
- run-off-the-road warning systems,
- adaptive cruise control,
- adaptive headlights,
- electronic brake distribution and
- brake assist systems.
The information gathered in the survey can be used to help manufacturers and other parties make developments and improvements in crash avoidance.
NHTSA Study Findings
According to the study there were various factors that contributed to these accidents. Driver behavior frequently played a role in the car crashes and some of the findings were surprising.
Below is a summary of driver behavior relating to car accidents:
- Approximately 41% of drivers made some type of recognition error, such as inattention, internal or external distractions, inadequate surveillance, etc.
- Approximately 34% of drivers made decision errors, including driving aggressively, driving too fast, etc.
- Approximately 10% of drivers made performance errors, such as overcompensation, improper directional control, etc.
Based on this information, driving while distracted is just as bad, if not worse, than driving aggressively. With advances in dashboard technology, such as GPS, multi-disc CD players and so on, drivers are taking their eyes off the road more often. Also, the popularity of cell phones and text messaging has caused a greater number of drivers to become distracted.
If you were seriously hurt in a car accident and the other driver was at fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. You need to speak with an experienced Boston personal injury lawyer to find out your legal rights.
Call 1-888-208-1695 for a Free Consultation today.
