(Photo credit: sunshinecity/Flickr)
When you get behind the wheel, it’s your responsibility to safely drive a vehicle. There’s an expectation that you won’t drive a vehicle while intoxicated or distracted and that you’re alert and aware of your surroundings while driving. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.
In 2012, 165,172 Canadians were injured in a motor vehicle collision, according to Transport Canada. While this number has dropped from the previous year, there were more fatal motor vehicle accidents in 2012 than 2011.
Automakers are looking to help prevent accidents by installing technology that can keep a vehicle’s occupants safe, along with pedestrians and cyclists that also share the road.
Jaguar is the latest company to announce an innovative safety feature, Bike Sense, which aims to prevent accidents between vehicles and cyclists and motorcyclists. At the Jaguar Land Rover’s Advanced Research Centre, researchers are looking into ways to alert vehicle drivers about the potential danger of a motorcyclist or a cyclist. The car’s sensors will be able to identify when a cyclist or motorcyclist is approaching, even before the driver can see them.
The facility is testing different ways, whether it’s through colour, sound or touch, to alert the driver. For example, if a cyclist is approaching on the right hand side behind the vehicle, Bike Sense could trigger a bicycle bell or a motorcycle horn on the right audio speaker. This alerts the driver to the type of potential hazard and which direction it may be coming from.
Also, as a cyclist approaches the car, there could be LED lights on the window sills, dashboard and windscreen pillars that would show an amber light and change to red as the bike approaches.
If the cyclist is approaching behind the vehicle and there’s a possibility it may overtake them, the top of the seat will “tap” the driver’s shoulder on whichever side the bike is approaching. This will trigger a driver to instinctively look over their shoulder.
“Human beings have developed an instinctive awareness of danger over thousands of years,” said Dr. Wolfgang Epple, Director of Research and Technology at Jaguar Land Rover, in a press release. “Certain colours, like red and yellow, will trigger an immediate response, while everyone recognises the sound of a bicycle bell.”
If the driver ignores these warnings, the car could prevent dangerous behaviour through vibrating or making the accelerator pedal stiff or preventing vehicle doors from opening if the vehicle detects a cyclist. Also, door handles could light up, vibrate or alert passengers to approaching dangers.
Dooring is a common hazard for cyclists and within a nine-month period in 2013 to 2014, there were 62 recorded dooring incidents in Toronto. Currently, there’s proposed provincial legislation that could increase fines and demerit points for those who’ve been convicted, along with instill additional safety laws for cyclists.
In 2012, there were 61 cyclist fatalities from a motor vehicle collision, which accounts for 2.9 per cent of fatal motor vehicle accidents, according to Transport Canada.
“By engaging instincts, Bike Sense has the potential to bridge the gap between the safety and hazard detection systems in the car and the driver and their passengers,” added Dr. Epple. “This could reduce the risk of accidents with all road users by increasing the speed of response and ensuring the correct action is taken to prevent an accident (from) happening.”
Jaguar isn’t the only company working on additional technological safety features for vehicles. GM announced it’s working on a safety feature to combat distracted driving. Also, software created by Canadian tech company BlackBerry will allow automakers to track a vehicle’s seat and steering wheel positions, according to Bloomberg Business. Maybe one day this tracking could be paired with a warning system if the vehicle detects unsafe use.
Motor vehicle accidents happen and accident benefits are available to anyone involved in a motor vehicle accident regardless of who caused the accident. The personal injury and accident lawyers at Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers have been dealing with all accident related issues throughout Ontario for over 45 years. We know how to get you the compensation that you deserve and get your life back in order after being in a car accident. Call us at 416-920-4242, set up a free consultation, and come speak with us.
Greg Neinstein
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