New technology may help sleepy drivers stay awake

Distracted driving and drunk driving are two of the most dangerous and common reasons many auto accidents in the United States occur. However, another common, yet overlooked, reason that contributes to a high percentage of auto accidents in the country centers around drivers who fall asleep at the wheel. Data from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration shows nearly 100,000 accidents that occur each year are the result of drivers who fall asleep.

Several pieces of legislation hope to cut down on distracted and drunk driving, but laws and regulations may do little to lower the incidence of accidents caused by drowsy drivers. For this reason, many automakers have stepped in and developed new auto technology that may help drivers stay awake and circumvent accidents.

Crash avoidance technology is gaining more attention as an effective tool to curb the incidence of these types of accidents. This type of technology includes a variety of features, including adaptive headlights to improve night vision as well as a number of warning systems, Edmunds* reports. This includes emergency brake assistance, forward collision warnings and lane departure warnings. The latter two systems rely on cameras to monitor a vehicle's location between lanes and its proximity to other vehicles. Systems that are more sophisticated also come with automatic brakes to help stop a moving vehicle from getting too close to another object. Other systems sound off chimes and warning systems to drivers who are dangerously approaching lines or other vehicles.

Future of auto safety technology

Although some automakers have implemented this technology in models dating back to 2007, reviews on the effectiveness of these systems are far and few between as the technology is still in its earliest stages, Edmunds reports. In addition, analysts and automakers alike agree that the technology, which can be helpful in notifying drivers of dangerous situations, cannot replace an alert driver who is all caught up on sleep.

However, some industry professionals did provide some feedback to drivers on what to look for when buying a car with this type of technology. Volvo's Adam Kopstein encourages drivers to seek out systems that do not have to be manually activated, as drivers may be forgetful, he told Edmunds. In addition, Kopstein recommends that drivers check the auditory level of the warning chime, as those that are too loud may scare drivers who traveling at high speeds and inadvertently result in an accident.

Many automakers have adopted the technology, including Ford, Lexus, Volvo and Mercedes. Industry experts say that other automakers that have been slow to adopt these types of systems are likely to do so in the future as more consumers focus on auto safety measures.

*according to Edmunds on January 12, 2012