Study Finds More Drivers Embracing Lane Departure, Speed Alert Features

A vehicle driving on a dark road with illuminated lane markings, surrounded by concentric blue waves representing lane departure warning system technology.

An increasing number of drivers are using car accident prevention technology while driving, including electronic warning systems that alert drivers when they are speeding or drifting into another lane while driving, according to a recent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) study.

“These results hint at a growing awareness that crash avoidance systems and other technologies can improve safety,” said IIHS President David Harkey. “They also indicate that automakers’ efforts to increase usage rates have been a success.”

More drivers using certain accident prevention warning systems

The IIHS study found that a large number of people are actively using driver warning systems designed to prevent car accidents. Specifically:

Nearly 9 out of 10 drivers (87 percent) of cars equipped with lane departure warning and prevention systems have these warning systems switched on at all times.
Nearly 7 out of 10 drivers of cars that give a visual warning to drivers that they are speeding keep this feature running at all times while driving.

Attitudes are changing about car accident technology

Just a few years ago, a lot of drivers made it a point to disable these safety warning features. For instance, eight years ago, only 51 percent of drivers had the lane departure warning system activated. When vehicles gave audible warnings (instead of visual warnings) about speeding, only 14 percent of drivers had the technology turned on.

“The results reflect a combination of better designs and a growing acceptance of crash avoidance systems, more generally,” said IIHS Research Scientist Aimee Cox, lead author of the study. “The new designs make the feature a little harder to turn off and a lot less annoying for the driver.”

Are crash avoidance systems making a difference?

According to IIHS researchers, lane departure warning systems could reduce the number of fatal accidents nationwide by 23 percent. However, researchers noted, "so far, they haven’t had the same dramatic effects on insurance claims and police-reported crashes as forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking (AEB).”

One factor to consider is that rear-end accidents – which AEB systems are designed to prevent – are far more common than collisions prevented by lane departure warning systems (e.g., sideswipe accidents and head-on collisions). As a result, more rear-end collisions are prevented when AEB systems work correctly.

How common are speed-related accidents?

Speeding remains one of the leading contributing factors in car accidents. Each year, about 30% of fatal car accidents occur due to speeding drivers. In 2022, 29 percent of car accident fatalities nationwide involved speeding, according to accident data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That’s more than 12,000 traffic deaths due to speeding.

In Kansas, high-speed drivers are just as dangerous, as nearly 1 out of 4 car accident fatalities are the result of speeding. In 2022, there were 95 speed-related car accident fatalities in Kansas, which equaled about 23 percent of the state's traffic deaths that year.

Injured in a crash? Contact a Kansas car accident lawyer in Wichita today

Crash avoidance systems are a great way to help prevent serious and fatal car accidents on our roads and highways, but that doesn't mean accidents still won't happen. It only takes one reckless driver to cause a crash that changes lives in an instant.

Even with advanced safety technology, human error remains a leading cause of collisions. Distracted driving, speeding, and impaired driving are just a few examples of behaviors that no system can fully counteract. When accidents happen, victims often face mounting medical bills, lost wages, and long-term pain and suffering.

If you’ve been injured in a crash caused by another driver’s negligence, it’s important to know your rights. An experienced car accident attorney can help you pursue the compensation you deserve and hold the at-fault driver accountable for their actions.

At Warner Law Offices, our attorneys know how to build strong cases and fight for maximum compensation. Our case results prove this, including a $3.9 million settlement for a claim involving a car accident that resulted in a rollover and ejection.

"Tom will go the extra mile and is not afraid of fighting for your case. If you are looking for a bulldog, he is your man. He knows his job and has a very knowledgeable and helpful support staff. This is the man you want to represent you." — Larry E.
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