New technology attempts to reduce deaths from driver fatigue

Fatigued drivers frequently pose a serious threat to themselves and fellow motorists in New Jersey. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that the amount of fatal crashes at least partially owed to driver fatigue at around 25 percent nationwide. A growing effort is underway to introduce technology intended to combat this danger to the public.

Forward collision warning systems are an increasingly common feature in modern vehicles. These systems detect frontal space with cameras or lasers and respond to imminent crashes with lights, alarms, and automatic braking for some models. Another category of installed device is the lane departure warning system, which senses an impending crossing across a lane or off the road, triggering an audio warning in response. Finally, Volvo and BMW vehicles are able to sense steering frequency and alert drivers if their movements appear to be suspiciously decreased.

Apps and standalone gadgets also exist to help protect tired drivers from causing harm. In addition to standard phone alarm clocks, one phone app accepts user inputs to determine a time when the user might become tired, alerting the user at that point. An ear-mounted motion detection alarm reacts to a telling nod of the head with vibration and beeping, while a currently unreleased Bluetooth headset will monitor blinking and body movement so it can alert sleepy motorists.

While technology may help to reduce occurrences, ultimate responsibility rests with each individual driver to avoid causing a car accident due to fatigue. An attorney may examine crash analysis reports and testimony from the involved parties to determine the amount of any obtainable remedy from an insurance provider or the other driver.