As the world progresses in the technical field, car companies are coming up with new product ideas and features. One such feature is cruise control which has gained quite a popularity around the globe, so much so that people believe it is as essential as air conditioning and windows. The feature allows the driver to relax and take control of the car.
However, there are certain risks associated with cruise control. While the feature helps maintain a steady rate of speed, it can be extremely dangerous in certain situations. You may be entitled to compensation if you have been injured in a car crash where the other party was using cruise control.
Risks associated with using cruise control
Despite the various advantages of cruise control, one cannot ignore the risks, which include the following:
- Cruise control can cause accidents in bad weather, such as rain, snow, or ice. The feature was not intended to be used in such weather, so make sure you take the wheel.
- Cruise control can cause a driver to fall asleep. When you put your car on cruise control, you no longer need to keep your hand on the steering wheel or keep your foot steadily on the pedal. This can cause drivers to feel sleepy and doze off.
- Cruise control may promote careless driving since drivers do not need to keep their eyes and focus on the road. Drivers are not required to monitor their speed or watch out for vehicles while on cruise control, which can distract them. In case of an emergency, they won’t be able to take quick action.
How effective is the cruise control system?
A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) revealed that using cruise control systems could reduce the number of crashes on the road. However, the report contained additional findings that might be scary.
Most drivers believe that cruise control and ACC systems will keep them from being in a crash and depend on the feature entirely. However, according to the makers of the feature, these systems can help increase safety when used properly, but they should not replace a human driver.
Therefore, crashes usually happen when drivers become careless and depend entirely on automatic driving.
If you have been involved in a car accident where the other party had put their car on cruise control mode, you may be confused about whether they are liable. In this case, multiple parties may be liable, such as the driver, the manufacturer, or the designer. Hire a personal injury lawyer to determine liability and recover compensation.
