The Hidden Risks of Vehicle Safety Systems
Over the past decade, automotive technology has advanced significantly, with new features designed to enhance safety and prevent accidents. Many modern vehicles come equipped with:
- Automatic braking systems
- Obstacle detection and warning systems
- In-car navigation and lane departure warnings
While these innovations aim to protect drivers and passengers, they are not foolproof—and in some cases, they may even put pedestrians at risk.
Are Automatic Braking Systems Failing Pedestrians?
Drivers should never over-rely on vehicle safety systems. Technology can fail, and when it does, it could mean the difference between avoiding a pedestrian accident or causing one.
A recent AAA study tested the pedestrian detection and emergency braking systems in four popular 2019 vehicle models equipped with advanced safety technology:
- Honda Accord (Honda Sensing)
- Toyota Camry (Toyota Safety Sense)
- Tesla Model 3 (Emergency Braking)
- Chevrolet Malibu (Front Pedestrian Braking)
The results? None of the braking systems consistently prevented pedestrian collisions in real-world scenarios.
Factors That Make Safety Systems Unreliable
AAA’s testing identified several key factors that caused automatic braking systems to fail when pedestrians were present:
1. Nighttime Driving
- Most pedestrian accidents happen at night, yet emergency braking systems struggle to detect people in low-light conditions.
2. Vehicle Speed
- The faster the vehicle was moving, the less likely the system was to stop in time.
3. Pedestrian Size
- Smaller pedestrians, including children, were often not detected at all, leaving them vulnerable to serious or fatal injuries.
This is concerning because many of the most devastating pedestrian accidents happen under these exact conditions—at night, when a car is traveling at higher speeds, and when the pedestrian is a child or shorter individual.
Driver Negligence Still Causes Pedestrian Accidents
Despite advancements in vehicle safety technology, drivers remain responsible for staying alert and avoiding accidents. Relying solely on automated safety systems is a dangerous mistake that can lead to severe pedestrian injuries.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
- Distracted driving (texting, using in-car entertainment, or navigation systems)
- Failing to yield at crosswalks
- Driving too fast in pedestrian-heavy areas
- Ignoring traffic signals and stop signs
- Impaired driving (drugs or alcohol)
If a driver fails to pay attention and relies too much on safety systems, they can still be held liable for pedestrian injuries.
What Should Injured Pedestrians Do?
If you’ve been hit by a car—whether or not the driver was using an advanced safety system—you may have a legal right to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain, and suffering.
Take These Steps After a Pedestrian Accident:
Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel okay Call the police and ensure an accident report is filed Gather evidence, including photos, witness statements, and driver information Do not discuss fault with the driver or insurance adjusters Contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible
Contact a Roseville Personal Injury Lawyer for Help
At Hoss Law, we fight for injured pedestrians who have been harmed due to negligent drivers—regardless of whether automated safety systems failed or human error caused the crash.
Call 844-4HOSSLAW today or contact us online for a free consultation with an experienced Roseville personal injury attorney.
