December 17, 2010 (Press-News.org) While some people are addicted to their smart phones, which can offer directions, allow users to surf the Internet and keep emails at their fingertips, others marvel at other technologies that are making basic driving frustrations a thing of the past. Consider the latest GPS technology, electronic anti-lock brake systems and maintenance sensors in today's automobiles.
With gadgets and advancements that would even make Batman envious, today's drivers may now be able to focus on other issues on the road. As suggested in a recent Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) study, help from technology relieves driver stress.
On November 4, 2010, Ford Motor Company and MIT's New England University Transportation Center (NEUTC) announced the results of their collaborative research project regarding drivers and new technological advancements. This nine-month study monitored drivers performing tasks considered high stress, such as parallel parking and backing out of parking spaces. The study compared drivers' heart rates while performing these parking tasks unaided with drivers' heart rates performing the same tasks with the aid of Ford's experimental Active Park Assist system. Those drivers performing unaided tasks averaged notably higher heart rates -- indicating higher levels of stress.
Consistent with the study results, many drivers loathe certain driving tasks, including parallel parking. A recent Harris Interactive Poll indicates that 31 percent of U.S. drivers avoid the task whenever possible; for some, it causes significant fear and frustration.
Ford, along with Toyota and BMW, now offer cars with self-parking systems. However, these automakers are not the only stakeholders in the driving technology game. In October, Google announced its self-driving car. With a Toyota Prius as the base of its prototype, Google has tested its vehicle for more than 140,000 miles. The only reported accident was the result of another driver rear-ending the robot car. While many herald the Google car as the wave of the future, self-driving technology poses an important question. How will this new driving situation affect our body of tort law and existing traffic safety statutes? Who will be liable for car accidents when computers are driving the cars?
With new advancements eliminating the risk of human error, our legal system and federal schemes will be forced to develop the law and continue the efforts to promote highway safety.
Article provided by Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels & Friend
Visit us at www.abrahamwatkins.com
What Does Increased Technology Mean for Motorist Safety?
With new advancements like computer-driven cars eliminating risk of human error, our legal system will be forced to develop new law in continuing efforts to promote highway safety.
2010-12-17
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
The Utah Compact: A Wise Acknowledgment of Federal Immigration Authority
2010-12-17
While legislators in several states have lined up to mimic Arizona's controversial state immigration law, a range of voices in one state have proposed a policy approach that recognizes the federal government's proper role as the national gatekeeper. In a statement of principles they have called the Utah Compact, business leaders, prominent public servants, law-enforcement officials and religious figures have endorsed policies based on moderation and civility to counter "the complex challenges associated with a broken national immigration system."
The New York Times recently ...
Felony DWI can Result in Painful, Long-Lasting Penalties
2010-12-17
An Attica man recently arrested for felony DWI faces a variety of severe penalties, if convicted. Roland Reed, 40, has two prior DWI convictions and had no valid driver's license at the time of his arrest in mid-October.
A DWI is elevated in New York from misdemeanor status to a felony if a person has been convicted of a DWI within the past 10 years.
After a first DWI offense, a driver faces stiff penalties and fines: up to a year in jail, license revocation of at least one year and a fine ranging from $500 to $1,000.
Escalating Penalties After DWI Conviction
The ...
Winter Weather, Holidays Pose Driving Hazards for Chicago-Area Travelers
2010-12-17
Winter weather has made its annual return to Chicago, leaving many Chicago-area drivers in need of a refresher course in safe driving under dangerous weather conditions. Although ice and snow can make the roads more treacherous, drivers can take extra safety precautions to prevent most auto accidents .
Remember that bridges may freeze more quickly than normal roads; even if the rest of the roads are just wet, the bridges may have ice. Drive accordingly. Overpasses and tunnels also warrant special consideration and attention; when cars are funneled into narrow spaces, ...
Social Media's Impact on Infidelity and Divorce
2010-12-17
A New Jersey pastor, Reverend Cedric A. Miller, said 20 couples in his congregation of about 1,100 members have experienced marital troubles in the last six months as a result of Facebook. He urged his congregants to delete their Facebook accounts, calling the social networking website a "portal to infidelity".
Although this view of Facebook may be extreme, it does lead to the question: Are new technologies bringing us closer together, or tempting us to stray from those who matter most?
A recent survey by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers found that 81 percent ...
U.S. Trails Behind Traffic Safety Improvements of Other Countries
2010-12-17
According to a recent report published by the Transportation Research Board of the National Research Council, the United States lags behind many other high-income countries when it comes to reducing deaths from traffic accidents. Researchers examined car accident fatality statistics from 1995 to 2009. In this time, fatal traffic accidents in France dropped 52 percent and 38 percent in the United Kingdom. In contrast, fatal accidents in the United States decreased only 19 percent.
In evaluating this disparity, researchers point to a variety of techniques that have reduced ...
California Construction Disputes: Home Buyers and Builders
2010-12-17
When property development is involved, contractors, subcontractors, and homeowners should all understand how to protect their rights. Liens and warranties are popular methods utilized.
Mechanics Liens
In the context of construction, most liens are known as "Mechanics Liens." These documents place a financial (security) interest on the title to the real property for work or materials. A contractor has a right to satisfaction of their lien before the property can be sold.
California is currently one of many states overhauling their mechanic's liens statutes. In 2011, ...
The World's First Wine Investing Magazine - FINESt WINEs Magazine
2010-12-17
FINEst WINEs - the only wine investing and collecting magazine in the world.
"There are over 800,000 people in the world who buy regularly fine wines from auctions and wine shops as investment, but there is no unbiased authority or reliable source who is telling what or where to buy, when to buy, when to sell, where to sell or how to recognize fake bottles or what is the current drinkability of finest investment wines etc. - those are the reason why we decided to publish FINEst WINEs magazine. The world needs unbiased and up-to-date knowledge of the finest investment ...
Paxil Birth Defects - What Parents Should Know - Paxil.LawsuitInformation.org
2010-12-17
First-time parents have this fear that their babies will be born with a birth defect. Imagine if their worst fear should materialize.
Recent studies have shown that women who take Paxil during the first three months of gestation are more likely to give birth to babies with Paxil birth defects, as compared to women who do not take any antidepressants during pregnancy. These Paxil birth defects can be life-threatening, and may include serious congenital problems, the most common of which are Paxil heart defects.
What is Paxil?
Paroxetine Hydrochloride, or better ...
Rug Pad Corner Superior Rug Pad Voted Best Felt Jute Rug Pad
2010-12-17
Rug Pad Corner is pleased to announce that Superior felt jute rug pad was voted as the best felt rug pad. The company asked hundreds of customers as well as staff members to rate Superior on a number of levels. Under all conditions, Superior rug pad was unanimously voted as best felt rug pad for the money.
"Superior is one of our best selling rug pads and we are happy to see consistent rating results among hundreds of customers," states Luis of Rug Pad Corner. "Superior is perhaps one of the few felt jute rug pads that does not contain any chemicals or adhesives and ...
Billy Bob Thornton to Narrate New Documentary on Nashville Flood
2010-12-17
Skydive Films, in association with Lavorsia Pictures, and IGBA Productions present Nashville Rises, a new short film documentary narrated by Academy Award Winner, Billy Bob Thornton.
Devastation, hopelessness, confusion, misery. These are some of the emotions people go through when affected by a natural disaster. On May 1st and 2nd, 2010, the citizens of Nashville, Tennessee tested these emotions. Also known as the 1000-year flood, this disaster is the worst in Tennessee history, with over 2 billion in damages. Historic landmarks such as the Opry House and the Country ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Rugged Falklands landscape was once a lush rainforest
Dizziness in older adults is linked to higher risk of future falls
Triptans more effective than newer, more expensive migraine drugs
Iron given through the vein corrects iron deficiency anaemia in pregnant women faster and better than iron taken by mouth
The Lancet Neurology: Air pollution, high temperatures, and metabolic risk factors driving global increases in stroke, with latest figures estimating 12 million cases and over 7 million deaths from st
Incidence of neuroleptic malignant syndrome during antipsychotic treatment in children and youth
Levels of protection from different cycle helmets revealed by new ratings
Pupils with SEND continue to fall behind their peers
Half of heavier drinkers say calorie labels on alcohol would lead to a change in their drinking habits
Study first to link operating room design to shorter surgery
New study uncovers therapeutic inertia in the treatment of women with multiple sclerosis
Cancer Cooperative Group leaders propose a re-engineering of the nation’s correlative science program for cancer
Nawaz named ASME Fellow
U2opia signs license to commercialize anomaly-detection technology for cybersecurity
Explaining dramatic planetwide changes after world’s last ‘Snowball Earth’ event
Cleveland Clinic study is first to show success in treating rare blood disorder
Bone marrow cancer drug shows success in treatment of rare blood disorder
Clinical trial successfully repurposes cancer drug for hereditary bleeding disorder
UVA Engineering professor awarded $1.6M EPA grant to reduce PFAS accumulation in crops
UVA professor receives OpenAI grant to inform next-generation AI systems
New website helps researchers overcome peer reviewers’ preference for animal experiments
Can the MIND diet lower the risk of memory problems later in life?
Some diabetes drugs tied to lower risk of dementia, Parkinson’s disease
Propagated corals reveal increased resistance to bleaching across the Caribbean during the fatal heatwave of 2023
South African rock art possibly inspired by long-extinct species
Even marine animals in untouched habitats are at risk from human impacts
Hexagonal electrohydraulic modules shape-shift into versatile robots
Flexible circuits made with silk and graphene on the horizon
Scott Emr and Wesley Sundquist awarded 2024 Horwitz Prize for discovering the ESCRT pathway
Versatile knee exo for safer lifting
[Press-News.org] What Does Increased Technology Mean for Motorist Safety?With new advancements like computer-driven cars eliminating risk of human error, our legal system will be forced to develop new law in continuing efforts to promote highway safety.