Cruise Control Causing Collisions
December 2024
Cruise control can potentially lead to car collisions in several different ways. In some cases, the cruise control can malfunction. The malfunction can lead to unintended acceleration that can lead to serious collisions and fatalities Additionally, drivers who use cruise control believe that the system will prevent crashes. This can lead to driver overconfidence and lead them to set the cruise control at a higher speed than the legal speed limit. Further, the cruise control can be improperly used. The cruise control should not be used in conditions like heavy wet traffic, snow, ice, wet or slippery roads, winding roads or hilly terrain. Under these conditions, there is an increased risk of losing control and going off the road or across lanes. There is a further risk under uncertain road conditions since the stop time is not certain for rear-ending other vehicles. One more way cruise control can lead to collisions is through driver inattention. The use of cruise control can cause a driver to be less attentive to the roadway. A driver has a duty to attentively drive to prevent collisions. A driver becomes less engaged with their surroundings when the cruise control is engaged.
In addition, the use of of cruise control causes addtional fatalites. A study showed that the use of cruise control increased fatalites by ten percent.
At Herrick & Hart, we have been on the side the injured since 1951. One area on which we focus is the area of personal injury law. If you or a loved one have been injured, take the time to seek out experienced trial counsel for your personal injury case.