Technology is a mixed blessing when it comes to motor vehicle safety. Certain technological advances cause more accidents by increasing driving distractions, such as mobile phones, dashboard mounted DVD players, iPads and other types of electronic gadgets. Other types of technological innovations often make drivers safer, including new airbags, crash avoidance systems and other safety innovations.
An interesting issue is posed by an article in the USA Today this week offering insight from vehicle designers on what cars will look like in 2030. Those interviewed discussed vehicles already in production and designs that will be available by 2030. These innovations included self-driving vehicles that allows you a passenger to text or talk on the phone as the vehicle navigates the streets of Mississippi. The notion that a car can safely drive without the input or attention of a driver seems a little disconcerting and unrealistic.
While this may sound like science fiction, vehicle designers and manufactures insist this is what the not too distant future holds. Details about driving in the future include not only vehicles that operate themselves but also vehicles that “talk” to each other and communicate with the roadway. This vision presumes that auto collisions will become almost non-existent because vehicles communicating with each other and computers at intersections and other strategic locations will use GPS tracking and crash avoidance technology so that stop signs and traffic lights are unnecessary. Human error by drivers will be eliminated as a cause of car accidents.
Although this is a very appealing idea, it is hard to imagine that Mississippi car accidents will disappear. However, this technology would likely remove negligent drivers as a cause of Mississippi car accidents in most cases. Presumably, these complex systems may have defects or malfunctions that would shift liability to those who manufacture and maintain the vehicles and communication technology, as well as public entities that employ the technology for use in intersections and other areas of the roadway. Product liability law would likely become relevant in a far higher number of car accident claims than it is currently. Vehicle owner liability also might be based on failure to get properly service and repair one’s vehicle instead of negligent driving.
It is doubtful that even the most advanced vehicle and roadway technology can eliminate car accidents because human error will always be involved in causing collisions though the types of human error may change. However, the concept of getting drunk, drugged, inattentive, reckless and speeding drivers out from behind the wheel is a prospect worth embracing. At Barrett Law, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi. Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.