Distracted driving crashes result in an estimated nine deaths and 100 injuries every day in New Jersey and across the U.S. Some of the contributing factors in this trend are obvious, such as the increased use of dashboard touchscreens and other in-car technology, calling and texting behind the wheel, and rubbernecking at incidents outside the vehicle. Even simple actions like changing the radio channel or talking with passengers in the car can be distracting.
Some say that efforts to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving have not been successful, which is why many are looking to artificial intelligence to monitor and alert drivers to the danger. With the help of deep learning and advances in computer vision technology, AI may be able to effectively deal with distractions of three kinds: cognitive, visual and manual.
Sensors can monitor the interior of the vehicle and may even be developed to the point where they can predict human behavior. Software algorithms can react to the information received by these sensors to issue warnings or to engage the brakes and steering.
If proven to be effective, these features could be mandated for all vehicles. This has happened with automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning, both of which will be included on all new vehicles in the U.S. by 2020.
Distracted, drowsy, drunk and drugged driving are just a few examples of negligent driving. Those who are injured at the hands of a distracted driver may pursue a personal injury case, but they may find it hard to prove that the driver was distracted. This is one reason why victims may want to hire a lawyer. After evaluating the case and determining that victims can, indeed, file a third-party insurance claim, the lawyer might hire investigators to gather evidence against the defendant.